Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Update 9:20am: Contractors are managing a slip that closed State Highway 6 between Hira and Whangamoa earlier this morning. Material continues to fall at the slip site on the Whangamoa Hill, and the highway remains closed for safety reasons. Contractors are working hard to reopen the road, but no estimate can currently be given for when this may happen. Drivers must avoid the area, and people travelling between Nelson and Blenheim should continue to detour via State Highway 63 St Arnaud and the Wairau Valley.
6:05 am:
Drivers are asked to delay their travel and avoid the area following a slip on State Highway 6 between Hira and the Rai Valley early this morning.
Reported at around 5am, a slip and rockfalls have forced the closure of State Highway 6 north of Nelson, between Hira and Whangamoa.
Map of area – State Highway 6 north of Nelson, between Hira and Whangamoa
It means there is no direct route between Nelson and Blenheim. The only available detour is via State Highway 63 St Arnaud and the Wairau Valley.
This adds around 40 minutes to travel time between Blenheim and Nelson and about an extra hour if travelling to or from the Rai Valley.
Contractors are attending the incident and are working hard to reopen the road. At this stage there is no estimate of when the highway will reopen.
Further updates will be provided when more information is known.
Drivers are urged to check the highway’s status before they travel.
