A southerly change with snow and heavy rain is expected to affect the highways across the lower and central South Island this weekend. People are asked to drive to the conditions and be well prepared.
The Haast Pass, SH6, connecting Otago to Westland, will reopen at midday after a significant rockfall closed the road on Monday afternoon at Clarke Bluff.
Ongoing rain combined with a complex rock face at South Westland’s Clarke Bluff, SH6, mean the highway closure put in place yesterday afternoon will remain in place all day today (Tuesday) and Wednesday morning.
A rockfall, triggered by heavy rain in recent days, between Haast in South Westland and the top of the Haast Pass has closed State Highway 6 just after 3 pm today. The route connects Westland to Makarora on the Otago side.
The end is in sight for the highway and rail rebuild along SH1 north and south of Kaikōura, as well as the inland route to Waiau. The rebuild of the transport networks followed the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November, 2016.
In an effort to save lives and reduce the incidence of serious crashes, the NZ Transport Agency is reviewing speed limits north and south of Woodend, from Waikuku to Lineside Road.
Lower temperatures today and over the weekend mean that South Island drivers need to be aware of ice and black ice, particularly on bridge decks and shaded areas of the highway last to catch the sun.
Flexible barriers in the middle of the road, new roundabouts, traffic lights at the Woodend School crossing and changes to speed limits are among ideas proposed to make a high-risk stretch of highway in North Canterbury safer.
The NZ Transport Agency will be installing permanent highway safety barrier gates at two places on State Highway 6 in South Westland in August: at the north end of Fox Glacier township and south of Docherty Creek Road, south of Franz Josef township.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Aspiring Highways team is in the final stages of completing six weeks of maintenance and safety works on the Luggate Red Bridge, State Highway 8A.
More time needs to be spent investigating the Rocks Road cycling and walking facility to ensure the transport system in Nelson is prepared for the challenges of moving more people and freight into the future, climate change and sea level rise, according to the NZ Transport Agency.
The NZ Transport Agency advises drivers that the Ashley River/ Rakahuri Bridge on SH1 north of Waikuku, south of Amberley, will be closed at nights for essential repairs and strengthening work in a week's time.
The NZ Transport Agency is advising drivers who use State Highway 65 north of Springs Junction, part of the South Island’s Lewis Pass route, to be ready for short delays in an area of significant river erosion.
The NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail and the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) alliance have been recognised for health and safety excellence at the 2019 Safeguard Workplace Health and Safety Awards.