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State Highway 1 south of Kaikōura is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday after being closed last week because of the effects of severe flooding.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi this afternoon said that subject to any further slips or safety concerns, the section of SH1 between Cheviot and Kaikōura would open to all traffic types from noon on Wednesday.
There would be a single lane operating with a reduced speed limit and stop/go traffic management 24-7 where the floodwaters have eaten away chunks of the road.
This traffic management was likely to stay in place for several weeks while the full width of the highway is reinstated.
NZTA said that rocks and other debris that have slipped on to SH1 from surrounding hillside have been cleared, but ongoing advice is being provided by geotechnical engineers on any other land movement or risks that may require further action.
Inland Route 70/Inland Kaikōura Road to the west of Kaikōura remains closed. A detour route via State Highways 7, 65, 6 and 63 is still available.
News of the reopenoing date came after Kaikōura's mayor said a state of emergency in place had been lifted as the district moved into the recovery phase.
Kaikōura District Council declared the state of emergency last Tuesday, after torrential rain led to widespread flooding and the Kowhai River burst its banks which resulted in parts of the town being evacuated.
Mayor Craig Mackle said the council's recovery priorities were restoring safe road and bridge access and ensuring the welfare of residents.
He said two houses had been red-stickered due to landslide risk, and four houses yellow-stickered with another two likely to also be yellow-stickered.
Waitaki District Council, further south, had lifted its local state of emergency last week.
The destructive southerly system made its way up the South Island last week, with heavy rain, flooding and strong winds reaching the lower North Island.
Kaikōura farmer Adam McManaway lost fences and feed when three rivers crossing his farm breached their banks.
A Kaikōura motel manager said he had to cancel bookings after floodwaters swept through all the units.
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |