A major West Coast highway will remain partly closed until the end of this week as contractors battle unstable conditions with more rockfall occurring overnight.
Heavy rain, flooding, and slips hit Westland over the weekend, which saw a local state of emergency declared in part of the region.
On the West Coast, State Highway 6 is shut between Haast and Paringa. A section between Paringa and Fox Glacier re-opened late this afternoon.
An update on the section between Lake Moeraki to Paringa is expected at 9am tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in Tasman, a sudden rockfall this afternoon has closed SH6 between Hira and the Rai Valley, cutting off the highway between Nelson and Blenheim.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) central region system manager Mark Pinner said contractors were working to clear rockfall debris and assess the stability of the road between Haast and Knights Point.
“A rock scaling crew is now on site and will begin removing rocks and debris above the road at the northern site today. This work may take up to three days to complete safely, given the instability of the site,” he said.
“We are working urgently to assess the stability of the rockfall site above the road at the northern end, as well as investigating cracking in the road at the southern end.”
He added a “top priority” was to ensure the safety of workers.
“This is still an unstable site, with further rockfall activity occurring overnight on Sunday.”
There are significant impacts expected on businesses on the West Coast as a result of the closure, with lodges seeing cancelled bookings and fewer tourists in the region.
West Coast Civil Defence has partially activated its emergency operations centre. (Source: 1News)
The closure between Haast and Knights Point was likely to take longer to resolve, with the “earliest possible reopening likely to be the end of this week”, according to NZTA.
Transport officials said it would also “initially likely to be single-lane for passenger vehicles only, limited to daytime travel, and weather-dependent”.
“There is no detour route for SH6 at Knights Point. People wanting to get to Greymouth or Hokitika will need to come via Arthur’s Pass or the Lewis Pass from the east coast for the time being, or delay their journeys.”
“We understand that this is an essential lifeline and tourist highway for the wider West Coast, Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago Districts and we are working urgently to re-establish the link around Knights Point as soon as it is safe for the public to use.”
SH6 also cut off near Nelson, Blenheim
Rockfall has also cut off SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim due to sudden rockfall earlier this afternoon, according to an NZTA traffic update.
The section of road is expected to remain closed into the evening.
“Contractors are working hard to reopen the road, however there are trees at the top of the rockfall that must be removed before slip and rockfall debris can be cleared,” according to an agency spokesperson.
“The slip, reported shortly after midday, has blocked one lane on Whangamoa Hill, and more material above the road is at risk of falling.
“For safety reasons, the highway is closed while contractors bring machinery to the site to clear the fallen rock and remove overhanging debris.
“Drivers are asked to avoid the area and delay their travel.”
Drivers are urged to use a longer diversion route via State Highway 63.