State Highway One through Kaikoura closed again

NEW ZEALAND – State Highway One through Kaikoura is likely to remain closed until the end of the week.

Both routes north and south of the town have been closed since February 20 after ex-Cyclone Gita brought down 300,000 cubic metres of debris over the road at 60 sites.

The same sections had received significant earthquake repairs following the magnitude-7.8 earthquake in November 2016.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) earthquake recovery manager Tim Crow said the road would be reviewed and the likely reopening date was expected to be confirmed on Wednesday.

The biggest slip of about 200,000 cubic metres came down just south of Okiwi Bay, north of the coastal town. The slips had also closed KiwiRail’s Main North Line, which runs alongside the highway.

Crow said crews had cleared debris at major landslide sites on the weekend.

He said although progress was being made, wet weather was restricting crews.

“When the road opens it will be single lane in many more sections than prior to this storm. People should expect more delays than previously.”

He said some new sites on the Hundalees, south of Oaro, would require longer-term repairs.

“Traffic will be managed around these as single lanes while they are permanently rebuilt,” he said.

State Highway 1 is one of the major arterial routes in the South Island. It reopened on December 15 after more than a year of repairs and has closed several times since due to weather conditions and ongoing rebuild work.

This week’s closure leaves just one road in and out of Kaikoura – the inland route via Waiau. Those travelling between Picton and Christchurch must use the alternative route over the Lewis Pass (SH7). - Stuff