Kaikoura Earthquake Update

The following information has been distributed by the NZ Transport Agency in a media release.  You can read the full release here

Icy roads overnight Thursday to Friday and Saturday mornings

With snow moving off the South Island, icy and freezing conditions remain in many areas. Drivers need to take special care tonight and the next two mornings. All areas which have had snow will be likely to have ice in the mornings in particular including Lewis Pass and hilly areas prone to ice. Drivers need to slow down on gritted roads.

Lewis Pass, SH7 - OPEN
Crews are working hard to keep the Lewis Pass on SH7 open and safe. This route is part of the new Alternate Highway Picton to Christchurch so has a large number of heavy vehicles and trucks on it.

Kaikoura, SH1 - OPEN
Kaikoura is accessed currently to 6 pm tonight through SH1 to the south. SH1 will reopen to Kaikoura at 7am Friday as it normally does Friday to Monday.

Inland Road - CLOSED
The inland road via Waiau remained closed all day and will be reassessed at 7am Friday.

Key tips to keep you safe in icy conditions:
·         Go slow on ice or snow.
·         Allow for much greater braking distances, avoid braking suddenly.
·         Look out for shaded areas caused by shelter belts/ tall trees where the roads freeze sooner and ice may not thaw during the day.
·         Bridges could also stay slippery longer than other road surfaces.
·         Frost is more severe at daybreak, so be prepared for this after it becomes light. While it may not be icy at 6am, it could be an hour or two later.
·         Allow greater following distances.
·         Motorists still need to be very careful, even if roads are covered with grit, which offers a 40 per cent improvement in skid resistance.
·         Is your journey really necessary? Observe road warnings and allow extra time for your journey.
·         Black ice, sometimes called clear ice, refers to a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface. The typically low levels of noticeable ice pellets, snow, or sleet surrounding black ice means that areas of the ice are often practically invisible to drivers.

 How to stay up to date:
·         Key traffic and travel source which provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions is www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
·         Important information is also shared via the Transport Agency’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts listed here https://www.nzta.govt.nz/
·         Drivers can also call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) to speak to the call centre team who can provide them with traffic and travel information either before they’re travelling or when they’re on the road, safely parked off the highway.
·         MetService road snowfall warnings here.
·         Extended weather forecast for all areas of New Zealand this week here.
·         MetService severe weather warnings here.

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