Access to Dunedin from the north, State Highway 1, was restored early this afternoon, with long queues of traffic making their way north and south as the road opened in both directions.
With flood waters abating in Otago and Southland, closed highways are slowly reopening except where significant slips and boulders need to be removed and geotechnical advice provided on stability, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The lower part of SH8 inland from Milton, south of Dunedin, to Lawrence, has been closed tonight due to surface flooding says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
A number of key Otago highways will remain closed overnight and into Saturday morning, if not longer in some cases, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
With heavy rain continuing today across greater Dunedin, Otago and Southland, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) urges drivers to stay home unless travel is absolutely essential and they know their route is passable and safe.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging drivers to plan ahead and check the latest road conditions, with rainfall in Otago expected to intensify overnight, making driving and road conditions challenging through until Friday evening.
