The NZ Transport Agency has closed State Highway 8 between Tekapo and Twizel around 9 am this morning due to ice on the road as temperatures plummeted across the south of the South Island overnight and early this morning.
This highway reopened just before midday, 11 July.
Transport Agency Journey Manager Lee Wright said once the sun had a chance to warm the road, it would reopen. But in the meantime drivers should take an alternative route or delay their journeys until later in the day. One driver has already rolled their vehicle on the ice.
All drivers should be wary driving around shaded areas on South Island roads currently early in the morning and after sunset when a frost is forecast, she said. Contractors would grit the roads wherever possible.
Drivers should check the Winter Journeys page(external link), the Transport Agency’s Traffic Information(external link) pages or phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS before setting off if conditions are uncertain. Carry chains on the alpine passes, Ms Wright advised.
