Tekapo and Burkes Pass residents, business owners and road users are invited to a meeting in Tekapo next Wednesday afternoon to talk about speed limits.
A southerly change with snow and heavy rain is expected to affect the highways across the lower and central South Island this weekend. People are asked to drive to the conditions and be well prepared.
The Haast Pass, SH6, connecting Otago to Westland, will reopen at midday after a significant rockfall closed the road on Monday afternoon at Clarke Bluff.
Ongoing rain combined with a complex rock face at South Westland’s Clarke Bluff, SH6, mean the highway closure put in place yesterday afternoon will remain in place all day today (Tuesday) and Wednesday morning.
A rockfall, triggered by heavy rain in recent days, between Haast in South Westland and the top of the Haast Pass has closed State Highway 6 just after 3 pm today. The route connects Westland to Makarora on the Otago side.
The end is in sight for the highway and rail rebuild along SH1 north and south of Kaikōura, as well as the inland route to Waiau. The rebuild of the transport networks followed the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in November, 2016.
In an effort to save lives and reduce the incidence of serious crashes, the NZ Transport Agency is reviewing speed limits north and south of Woodend, from Waikuku to Lineside Road.
Lower temperatures today and over the weekend mean that South Island drivers need to be aware of ice and black ice, particularly on bridge decks and shaded areas of the highway last to catch the sun.
