26 November 2018

State Highway 1, south of Kaikōura, will close to traffic at 6 pm tonight due to forecast further heavy rain potentially triggering small slips and rockfalls.

The highway will close overnight from 6 pm between the Leader Road, north of Cheviot, and Peketa, just south of Kaikōura.

The next update will be provided at 9am tomorrow after inspections have taken place.

The Inland Road via Waiau (Route 70) is still open for access to Kaikōura and SH1 north of Kaikōura remains open at this stage.

NZ Transport Agency Network Operations Manager, Tresca Forrester, says heavy rain has fallen, up to 100mm in places with a possible 100mm in the next 24 hours.

A soft closure (ie to suit the traffic involved) will be implemented at Blenheim to divert heavy vehicles that are not suitable for Route 70 onto the Alternate Route via the Lewis Pass for the 6 pm closure.

Short check on rockfall and safety after midday today

The heavy rain south of Kaikōura and rockfall north of the Paratitahi Tunnels, meant that SH1 temporarily closed temporarily early this afternoon while the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) team’s geotech advisors assessed the sites.

“The road is now open and will remain open for the rest of the afternoon under controlled conditions for everyone’s safety,” says Ms Forrester.

People should expect a slower than usual trip south of the town.

ends

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