The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) says traffic is flowing once again on State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura after the highway was closed for nearly a week ago by a massive land slip last Friday night.
NZTA’s North Canterbury Area Manager Barry Stratton says one lane of the highway was opened up at 4pm today and traffic is now using it. The northbound lane of the road is being used KiwiRail for a temporary rail line. This is necessary to allow further work on stabilising the slip to be carried out.
“While a single lane is operating there will be delays and we ask for motorist to be patient with Stop-Go” sign operators controlling traffic flows. There could be delays of up to half an hour as work continues on clearing and stabilising one of the biggest land slips to close a state highway in recent times.”
Barry Stratton says contractors will continue working to clear and stabilise the slip until both lanes of the highway are open. He said the NZTA’s contractors and others helping with the operation have done a great job in opening one lane of the highway in the time they have given the share size of the slip they are dealing with.
“The importance of this route in getting much needed supplies to rebuild the earthquake damage in the Canterbury region provided extra incentive for everyone involved in the clearing operation to get the road open as soon as possible.”
Up to date information on the slip can be found at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link) or by phoning 0800 44 44 49.
There will be a further media update tomorrow afternoon (17 September) on progressing in clearing this slip.
