Heavy rain, snow and gale-force winds continue to keep key routes closed across the South Island/ Te Waipounamu this afternoon heading into the night.

Contractors are making every effort to reopen these roads and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will provide updates as soon as they are available. Check this web page: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Even where roads are open, road users should be alert to the dangers of surface water, rising river levels, rockfalls, fallen trees, and slips, says Tresca Forrester, Journey Manager Waka Kotahi.

Contractors are working hard to clear debris and traffic management will be in place in some areas. Drivers should factor this into their travel plans and be prepared for delays.

“Some roads will have debris over them and flooding which makes them particularly unsafe overnight,” says Ms Forrester.

Highways where power lines or trees have been knocked over by the gale-force winds have been closed until power company crews can safely remove them.

• Before heading out, people need to check this map for updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

Check your local council facebook and Civil Defence pages

Councils are providing updates of local road closures on their Civil Defence pages or council web page maps.

• Selwyn District Council updates here: www.ramm.com/roadclosures/roadclosuremap.html?region=selwyn
• Marlborough District’s Facebook page (Awatere Memorial Hall is being used for stranded road users this afternoon) https://www.facebook.com/MarlDistCouncil

Most of these closures (below) are “Until further notice” so people need to check them on the traffic and travel map. Many may stay closed overnight. Others are being updated later tonight.

Closures – West Coast

• SH73 Jacksons to Kumara - fallen trees – detour via SH7 Jacksons to Moana to Stillwater
• SH6 Ross to Fox Glacier – strong winds/power lines down

Closures - Marlborough

• SH1 Blenheim to Seddon - flooding
• SH1 Seddon to Kaikōura – flooding
• SH63 St Arnaud to Renwick - flooding

Closures – Marlborough/Canterbury and into the Lindis Pass/ Otago

• SH1 Seddon to Kaikōura – flooding
• SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill (Porters Pass) – snow
• SH73 Castle Hill to Arthurs Pass - snow - 8 am update Wednesday
• SH77 Darfield to Rakaia Gorge Bridge – flooding
• SH77 Between Blackford Road and Mt Hutt Station Road – washout Detour northbound use Mt Hutt Station Road, Rakaia River Road, Rakaia Barrhill Methven Road, Elizabeth Ave onto SH1. Southbound turn east at Windwhistle onto Leaches Road, Saunders Road, Sharland Road, Ardlui Road, Rakaia Terrace Road, North Rakaia Road onto SH1.
• SH79 Fairlie between Gudex Rd and SH8 intersection (Fairlie-Geraldine Highway) – snow
• SH8 Twizel to Fairlie (Burkes Pass) – snow
• SH80 Aoraki Mount Cook Highway - snow
• SH8 Tarras to Omarama (Lindis Pass) – snow closed overnight, 6 am update Wednesday, 13 July

OPEN but care needed

• SH7 Hanmer Turnoff to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass) - strong winds - slow down
• SH7 Springs Junction to Reefton (Rahu Saddle) - strong winds - debris on the road
• SH77 Mount Hutt to Ashburton - flooding
• SH79 Geraldine to Fairlie - snow

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

· Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic

• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTASouthIsland
• Twitter Top of the South: twitter.com/WakaKotahiTOTS
• Twitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCWC
• Twitter Otago/Southland: twitter.com/WakaKotahiOS
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

We have a vision of zero deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand roads. Learn more about:

· Road to Zero – our plan to achieve this vision

· Our vision – video explaining Road to Zero and what we’re trying to achieve

• What Waka Kotahi is doing to support Road to Zero

© Scoop Media