Drivers on South Island roads tonight and tomorrow morning are advised to take care as the southerly storm is still affecting road conditions and reducing choices on the key routes between Canterbury and the West Coast, says the NZ Transport Agency.
The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists that State Highway 2 Rimutaka Hill Road is currently open, but that as weather conditions are changing rapidly, the road may need to be closed again tonight.
Snow is continuing to fall across the South Island this afternoon, keeping the two main routes between the West Coast and Canterbury closed and roading contractors busy gritting roads through places like the Buller Gorge (SH6).
The NZ Transport Agency has re-opened State Highway 2 Rimutaka Hill Road, but is reminding motorists to continue to take extra care as cold weather is contributing to challenging driving conditions.
Drivers are advised to take care today as high winds and the southerly storm continues to move up the country, says the NZ Transport Agency. 'Conditions are changing quite quickly,' says the Transport Agency’s Southern Region Journey Manager Tresca Forrester. 'Please check the map for updates on closures.'
The NZ Transport Agency is reminding motorists to take extra care and plan travel carefully as a return to winter weather conditions may bring cold temperatures, strong winds, heavy rains, and snow to low levels to many areas of the lower and central North Island from late Wednesday onwards.
As a southerly snap with snow and high winds travels up the country today and tomorrow, motorists need to drive prepared, says the NZ Transport Agency. “Carry chains on all alpine passes as a precaution,” says NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager Tresca Forrester.
From today, Wednesday 7 September, all water damaged light vehicles will now require a full replacement of all electronic and pyrotechnic safety components such as airbags, sensors, seatbelts and seatbelt pre-tensioners and wiring.
The bi-annual Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari* is being run next Saturday 10 September, involving up to 250 scooter riders on State Highway 73 between Canterbury and the West Coast, via Arthurs Pass.
Queenstown’s BP roundabout at Frankton, which handles around 22,000 vehicles a day, is the newest addition to the NZ Transport Agency’s Queenstown traffic web camera network.
The NZ Transport Agency has awarded an Ashburton intersection construction and traffic signals installation contract to Christchurch-based City Care Ltd.
The NZ Transport Agency is reminding motorists that the final set of three bridge beams for the new Haywards Interchange on State Highway 2, Upper Hutt, will be lifted into place tonight. This will complete a major milestone for the elevated roundabout.
New local road connections will open on the Rangiriri Section of the Waikato Expressway next week as contractor Fletcher Construction continues to work towards final completion of the project next year.
The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists that they may experience short delays on State Highway 1, Raumati Straights this evening, due to a change in road layout.