Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 1 Weld Pass will be closed Thursday night (7 November) to allow a crashed truck to be recovered and removed.
The truck crash occurred before five am on Wednesday morning – the vehicle overturned and went down a bank south of Blenheim on Weld Pass.
Crash site, SH1 Weld Pass
Heavy lifting and heavy towing equipment will be needed to recover the vehicle, and trailer. Its load also has to be removed.
Because of the crash location and the road’s narrowness, a full road closure is necessary to complete the recovery work.
State Highway 1 will be closed between Blenheim and Seddon from seven pm to five am. There will be one opening at midnight to let queued traffic through, and then the road will be closed again.
Access through Weld Pass will be available for emergency services at all times, and the highway will be reopened earlier if the crash site is cleared ahead of schedule. Updates on the highway’s status can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:
It is recommended drivers detour via the inland route – SH7 to Springs Junction, SH65/SH6 Murchison/Kawatiri Junction, and SH63 St Arnaud/Wairau Valley.
This significantly longer route adds over 90 minutes to travel times between Christchurch and Blenheim. Drivers must factor this into their travel plans, especially those with Picton Ferry connections.
For safety reasons, this vehicle must be removed as soon as possible. NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks the public for their patience and understanding while this crash scene is cleared.
Detour map
