Escorted vehicle convoys are scheduled to travel back and forth three times daily from Tuesday on a section of State Highway 6 closed due to slips.

Roading crews have made good progress to clear debris on the road between Makarora and Lake Hāwea which has been closed since Friday after rain affected the area and loosened material on nearby hillsides. 

A spokesman for the New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi said, weather depending, the route would open to controlled, limited traffic access from Tuesday.

“With many of the 30 separate slips cleared and assessments done by geotechnical engineers about the risk of further rocks and debris coming down onto the road, the intention is to operate a limited number of daily escorted convoys through this section of SH6."

This map shows the highlighted section of SH6 for escorted convoys. Image: NZTA

The convoys would depart from either the northern closure point at Makarora village, or from the southern closure point at Isthmus Peak Track car park (which can be accessed by travelling north about 18km from Lake Hāwea township).

NZTA’s roading crews would provide lead and tail pilot vehicles for each convoy to ensure safe passage for road users while the section of highway is still being worked on, the spokesman said.

The scheduled departure and return times for the convoys are:

  • Convoy 1 departs Makarora village heading south at 7.15am; then returns north at 8am from Isthmus Peak Track car park.
  • Convoy 2 departs Isthmus Peak Track car park heading north at 12pm; then returns south from Makarora village at 12.45pm.
  • Convoy 3 departs Isthmus Peak Track car park heading north at 5.30pm; then returns south from Makarora Village at 6.15pm

 

A digger transfers rocks and debris into a truck. Photo: NZTA

The timing of these convoys is to accommodate the movement of school children, those working locally - especially in Wānaka, courier services, and general road users; but also roading crews who are continuing to work on getting the highway to a state for full reopening.

 People intending to join any of these convoys should be aware that they may be cancelled at short notice due to expected wet weather mid-week, the spokesman said.

“Conditions are forecast to be suitable tomorrow, but heavy rain predicted from Wednesday may require reverting back to a complete closure until the weather passes. This is because the rain may increase the risk of further slips from already sodden hillsides.”

“NZTA thanks people for their patience and understanding as work continues around the clock to return full, safe access to SH6.”

- Allied Media