Operators will be aware of the impact the adverse weather in the Canterbury region has had on roads.
Below is the latest information from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Their engineers are inspecting the Ashburton River/Hakatere Bridge, which is closed. There is currently no detour via road currently available to State Highway 1 at Ashburton at this time (11.45am Tuesday, 1 June). We will give you official advice as it comes to hand.
Please be mindful of driver safety and fatigue at this time.
Flooding update Canterbury and Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge, SH1 – 11.45 am Tuesday, 1 June, 2021
Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge
The Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge was closed this morning after drivers reported slumping at the Ashburton end.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency engineers are inspecting the bridge and its piers this morning, says Waka Kotahi Journey Manager Tresca Forrester.
“We will know more about possible structural remedies this afternoon,” she says. “We need to understand the degree of damage before we can look at a repair strategy and possible timeframes for reopening the bridge.”
No detour today
There is no detour via road currently available to SH1 at Ashburton at this time. Waka Kotahi will be working closely with the Ashburton District Council to get an alternate route reopened, as soon as we can, says Ms Forrester.
• Please check the Waka Kotahi map for the current five state highway road closures across Canterbury:
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/11
SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/343640
Aiming for a possible Thursday opening. Please note the Lewis Pass SH7 is open connecting the West Coast to Canterbury.
SH77 Darfield to Mount Hutt
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/343712
People can travel from Darfield to Windwhistle around lunchtime today, (1 June) but the Windwhistle to Mount Hutt section is still being assessed and will remain closed today.
South of Christchurch, Burnham to Dunsandel/ the Selwyn River Waikirikiri
Bridge: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/343743
This section of highway is likely to reopen to one lane initially Tuesday afternoon, 1 June.
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/343896
SH1 Temuka to Hinds
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/343694
We are still waiting for flood waters to recede to get a full assessment of repairs needed at various points on this stretch of highway.
• All other state highways in Canterbury are now open, albeit with advice to take care and slow down as flooding debris is being cleared away today and this week.
