The NZ Transport Agency advises today's (12 December) early closure of State Highway 6 through the Haast Pass to remove the temporary steel plates and bridge the boxed culvert at the Diana Falls slip site has been postponed.
The Transport Agency's Senior Network Manager Mark Pinner says the work will now be carried out next Monday and Tuesday (16 and 17 December).
"Our contractors have postponed the work because of forecast heavy rain which would make conditions at the site difficult for them to complete the work in the time allocated."
State Highway 6 will now close at the Haast township at 4pm on Monday and at 4.30pm at Makarora, re-opening at 9am at Haast township and 9.30am at Makarora on Tuesday.
He says the work will enable the road through the slip site to be resealed later next week and minimise the need to continually clean the culvert.
"Resealing the road, which was damaged in September when 40,000 tonnes of boulders, rock and material fell onto the road, will also improve access for all road users travelling through the area."
Mr Pinner says the Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience to road users as a result of the early closure and late opening.
