Winter conditions hit South Island highways

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The Transport Agency is urging drivers to slow down, allow extra travel time for their trip and carry chains, as snow and ice are affecting several inland Otago and Southland highways.

The Transport Agency expects higher inland highway routes  in Otago and to bear the brunt of the of the bad weather, which is forecast to start easing from tomorrow morning.

Today, State highway 6 (SH6) from Dipton to Garston on the main highway linking Invercargill and Queenstown has been the worst affected.  Drivers are asked to carry chains for the higher areas on this route, especially around the Jollies Hill (Five Rivers to Garston).

Road users are advised to closely monitor traffic information to ensure they know which areas are affected as this weather front moves across Southland and Otago over the next day or two. Towing restriction have now been lifted on State highway 94 (SH94) in the Gorge Hill area between Mossburn and Te Anau.

Photos of SH6 Five Rivers in the Southland district: 

Snow on SH6 Five Rivers Highway in the Southland District

Snow on SH6 Five Rivers Highway in the Southland District

The following photos show the western entrance of the Homer Tunnel taken this morning at two hours apart:

Western entrance of the Homer Tunnel around 7am.Western entrance of the Homer Tunnel around 9am.

Before setting out their journey drivers are encouraged to check the latest highway conditions which are available at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link) or on 0800 44 44 49.

 

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