Waka Kotahi urges drivers to take extreme care on the roads as heavy rain closes highways across the top of the South Island.
Update 2.20 pm:
State Highway 6 between Havelock and Hira has reopened.
Because of the ongoing bad weather and flooding, drivers must take care on this route. Please drive to the conditions and be prepared for hazards - such as slips, rock and treefalls, and localised flooding.
Update 1pm:
Mark Owen, Regional Manager, Lower North Island/Top of the South, says State Highway 60, between Tākaka and Collingwood, has reopened after earlier being closed by flooding.
“That’s good news for locals, but problems remain with localised flooding and slips affecting the highway at multiple locations between Tasman and Tākaka. Temporary speed limits and lane closures are in place.”
Meanwhile, State Highway 6 remains closed between Havelock and the Rai Valley.
This means the only route between Marlborough and Nelson is via State Highway 63 and St Arnaud.
Mr Owen says contractors are closely monitoring the State Highway network and responding to incidents as quickly as possible.
“A slip on State Highway 6 near Spooners Tunnel has reduced the highway to one lane. Our contractors also say fog means visibility in the area is bad. We are also closely monitoring an old slip on State Highway 6, Atawhai Drive.”
With the bad weather set to continue next week, Mr Owen says drivers and residents must be ready for the current conditions to continue.
“Unfortunately, the weather will be problematic for a few days. With the ground already saturated, there’s a real risk of more slips, flooding, and road closures. If you are on the roads, drive to the conditions. If you can, please delay any non-essential trips, and if conditions are unsafe, please stay home.”
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