Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Road crews are working hard to clear slips today and restore access to communities on the West Coast and across the Top of the South Island for the long weekend, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
“We will have a better picture later today of road conditions given the work underway and the rain which is still coming through,” says Colin Hey, Senior Network Manager for Waka Kotahi.
North of Westport
SH67 north of Westport to Mokihinui was cleared before lunchtime and is now open to a single lane.
South and east of Westport
The Coast Road, between Greymouth and Westport and the Buller Gorge into Westport from the east, both part of SH6, are open and generally clear.
Drivers should take care at Fox River on the Coast Road where there is a small amount of debris which may reduce the highway to a single lane.
“We need people to be on the watch for slips and debris on SH6 and elsewhere this weekend,” says Mr Hey.
Greymouth and south to Haast, SH6
Greymouth south to Franz Josef, is largely clear bar a little bit of surface flooding.
Crews are busy on the Fox Hills between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier townships moving debris made up of trees and slip material. Good progress is being made there, says Mr Hey.
“We are still assessing one area between Bruce Bay and Fox township and will have more to report on that later today. More clearance work is underway between Bruce Bay and Haast.”
The long weekend on the West Coast
“Road crews have been working hard this week so we will scale back this weekend to give them a rest. Essential clearance work and patrolling will continue combined with traffic management in areas which may be down to a single lane. Major road reinstatement will not start till after the long weekend,” says Mr Hey.
Tasman/ Nelson/ Marlborough
Crews are busy clearing slash and slip material from stream breakouts that came down onto SH6, the Whangamoas, between Hira and Rai Valley. That section of SH6 is likely to remain closed today and overnight.
The road is unlikely to reopen until Saturday, potentially the afternoon, depending on the extent of any further damage overnight, says Andrew James, System Manager, Top of the South for Waka Kotahi.
The Wairau Valley and St Arnaud, via SH63, is the alternate route between Blenheim and Nelson.
Photos taken on the Whangamoas, SH6, this morning, Friday, 4 February:
Other parts of Tasman like the Tākaka Hill route, SH60, are open.
People are encouraged to avoid the Marlborough Sounds local roads if possible over the long weekend, says Mr James. “These roads are still in a fragile state from the last storm and there is potential for further disruption.”
Kenepuru Road remains closed from that earlier storm.
Thanks for taking care
Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for being cautious and checking routes before heading off, building in extra time and being aware small slips can occur anywhere after this much rain.
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