Friday, 20 December 2019

Slips close SH73 near Arthur's Pass

    By Georgia O'Connor-Harding
    1. Canterbury
    2. Districts

    Damage to the Little Man Bridge on State Highway 6 at the height of last week's storm.Photo: NZ...
    Damage to the Little Man Bridge on State Highway 6 at the height of last week's storm.Photo: NZ Herald/Supplied
    Several slips have caused one main highway to close, while another major route has reopened.

    State Highway 73 between Arthur's Pass and Jacksons was closed due to slips on Friday. A detour was put in place about 7am.

    The New Zealand Transport Agency said the detour will remain in place until further notice.

    A detour is in place following a slip between Arthur's Pass and Jacksons. Image: Google
    A detour is in place following a slip between Arthur's Pass and Jacksons. Image: Google
    Meanwhile, a main road on the West Coast was scheduled to reopen on Friday after being washed out by last week's storms.

    NZTA confirmed it intended to fully reopen State Highway 6 south of Hokitika to Makarora, including the only section currently still closed with the most slips and damage, Mt Hercules, south of Harihari to Whataroa.

    It also said the link from the north to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier was due to reopen on Friday at 9am.

    "This reopening will be weather dependent and will close overnight from 9pm," NZTA said. 

    "From Saturday 21 Dec, the road will open from 7am to 9pm daily. There will be single lane sections and traffic lights will be in place."