Canterbury

The Rangitata River bridge, SH1, is remaining closed Tuesday night with the next update at 11am Wednesday after extensive flooding from the Rangitata River at the weekend.

NZ Transport Agency teams are continuing to work closely with Environment Canterbury and KiwiRail engineers to mend breaches in stopbanks.

More information on SH1 will be coming late tomorrow morning, says Pete Connors, NZTA system manager.

Route 72 the inland diversion to SH1 via Arundel opened around midday yesterday.

• Speed restrictions will be in place on Route 72. Travellers should add at least an extra hour to their travel times and expect delays.

• There will be localised detours in place from Orari where there is a single lane bridge. Police will be present along the route.

• People should check this web link for updates on SH1 at the Rangitata:  https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/284084

• Timaru District Council‘s Civil Defence updates for the Route 72 Arundel route here: https://www.facebook.com/TimaruDC/

South Westland, SH6

Good progress with access over much of route, NZTA crews have made strong progress clearing slips in the Fox Hills, between the two glacier towns, in the sunny weather in South Westland the past two days.

“While we are aiming for the Christmas opening for the whole route south of Hokitika to Makarora, we will update this timetable on Friday morning (13 December),” says Connors.

The route south of Whataroa right through to Makarora in Otago is being opened to all traffic Wednesday, 11 December, from 10 am, with opening restrictions only in the Fox Hills section between the two glacier townships. This section will close at nights between 8 pm and 8 am.

People should expect a much slower journey past multiple slip sites that are still being repaired. People are urged to take care around road crews.

North of Whataroa to Harihari – the most damaged section

The area north of Whataroa to Harihari is remaining closed with work ongoing on extensive slips over a several kilometre section. The aim is to open this section by Christmas and timing will be updated this Friday morning.

West Coast updates/ map here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/12

Civil Defence West Coast: 

https://www.facebook.com/emergencywestcoast/

MetService Severe Weather Warnings: https://services.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings

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