Part of the state highway connecting Nelson to Blenheim impacted by a slip will continue to operate under stop/go traffic controls and a reduced speed limit until the end of this week.
State Highway 6 between Hira and Rai Valley was closed for most of the day yesterday after a slip occurred early in the morning. It reopened in the afternoon under stop/go traffic controls and a 30km/h temporary speed limit at the Whangamoa Hill slip site. The road is down to one lane.
In an update this afternoon, the New Zealand Transport Agency’s top of the south system manager Rob Service said traffic management must remain in place for the time being with more rain on the way.
“More wet weather is forecast over the next few days which could force loose soil, rock and a root ball and stump down the hill face onto the road.
“It means we will keep safety barriers in place at the slip site and the road to one lane under stop/go traffic lights. Keeping drivers safe must be the priority,” he said.
People travelling between Nelson and Blenheim could expect delays of around 20 minutes when travelling through the area.
Service said because this was an overslip, it would be easier to fix than an underslip and would be assessed to determine what remedial work is needed when the weather improves.
“We need to wait for the bad weather to pass before we can do this in case it creates any more problems. Once that happens, we will restore the road to two lanes as soon as it is safe to do so.”