Highways South, the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency highway maintenance contractor in Southland, will be closing part of SH6 for a week from 19 September to replace a major culvert.
People who normally travel to Central Otago, Dunedin or Oamaru via SH85, commonly known as the Pigroot, will have a detour from the end of August for up to a month.
While rain has continued to fall on the West Coast and upper South Island overnight, there have been no further closures to the region’s state highways. West Coast routes remain open, and the most significant network issues are centred on Nelson, Marlborough, and Takaka.
The MetService has issued a Red Warning for Westland and Buller – it means the West Coast and upper South Island could see rainfall similar to that in the weather events of February this year and July 2021.
With more rain forecast for the top of the South Island this week, Waka Kotahi is urging road users to be alert and be prepared in case road closures occur.
Highways South, the highway maintenance contractor for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in Southland, is reminding farmers to keep their livestock secure on the two-year anniversary of a traumatic crash with a cow which almost cost a local man his life.
Road crews have managed to clear treefalls, slips, and debris that had forced the closure of this road overnight and today. This involved significant effort as not only did fallen trees have to be removed but so too did those at risk of falling onto the road.