State Highway 6 through Haast Pass, from Haast township to Makarora, will remain closed today (Wednesday 7 May).
The NZ Transport Agency’s Senior Network Manager Mark Pinner says about 150 cubic metres of rock and material, including a 20-tonne boulder fell down on to the highway overnight (pictured above).
“Heavy rain has been falling in the area since the start of the week; more than 200mm falling at the site since 7am on Monday, almost half of that overnight.
“Our geotech experts have been on-site this morning and assessed the slip face. They are concerned with the on-going movement of rock and material near the top of the slip face which has prevented us from being able to clear the road today,” he says.
“The safety of road users and our contractors will always be our top priority.”
Mr Pinner says contractors will be on-site again at first light tomorrow to undertake a review of the slip face and when it is safe, to clear and re-open the highway. “We will also need to undertake some sluicing on the lower section of the slip where there remains some loose material.”
The next update will be at 10am tomorrow (Thursday 8 May).
For updates on state highway conditions and hazards freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or visit the website www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link).
For more information please contact:
Jan McCarthy
Media Manager - Christchurch
NZ Transport Agency
T: 03 964 2885
M: 021 427 442
E: jan.mccarthy@nzta.govt.nz
