Canterbury
The Rangitata River bridge, SH1, is remaining closed Tuesday night with the next update at 11 am Wednesday after extensive flooding from the Rangitata River at the weekend.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency teams are continuing to work closely with Environment Canterbury and KiwiRail engineers to mend breaches in stopbanks.

More information on SH1 will be coming late tomorrow morning, says Pete Connors, Transport Agency System Manager.

Route 72 the inland diversion to SH1 via Arundel opened around midday yesterday.
• Speed restrictions will be in place on Route 72. Travellers should add at least an extra hour to their travel times and expect delays.
• There will be localised detours in place from Orari where there is a single lane bridge. Police will be present along the route.
• People should check this web link for updates on SH1 at the Rangitata: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/284084
• Timaru District Council’s Civil Defence updates for the Route 72 Arundel route here: https://www.facebook.com/TimaruDC/

South Westland, SH6 – good progress with access over much of route
Transport Agency crews have made strong progress clearing slips in the Fox Hills, between the two glacier towns, in the sunny weather in South Westland the past two days.

“While we are aiming for the Christmas opening for the whole route south of Hokitika to Makarora, we will update this timetable on Friday morning (13 December),” says Mr Connors.

The route south of Whataroa right through to Makarora in Otago is being opened to all traffic Wednesday, 11 December, from 10 am, with opening restrictions only in the Fox Hills section between the two glacier townships. This section will close at nights between 8 pm and 8 am.

People should expect a much slower journey past multiple slip sites which are still being repaired. People are urged to take care around road crews.

North of Whataroa to Harihari – the most damaged section
The area north of Whataroa to Harihari is remaining closed with work ongoing on extensive slips over a several kilometre section. The aim is to open this section by Christmas and timing will be updated this Friday morning.

West Coast updates/ map here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/12

Civil Defence West Coast: https://www.facebook.com/emergencywestcoast/

MetService Severe Weather Warnings: https://services.metservice.com/warnings/severe-weather-warnings

www.windy.com

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthisland
• Twitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/NZTA/CWC
• Twitter Otago/Southland: twitter.com/NZTAOS
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
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