13 Dec 2019

Washed-out State Highway 6 could reopen by Christmas

1:18 pm on 13 December 2019

The transport agency is aiming to have State Highway 6, south of Hokitika to Makarora, open in time for Christmas.

Little Man Creek bridge where the approach was washed out, Mt Hercules,in early December. (Picture taken on 11 December 2019.)

Little Man Creek bridge where the approach was washed out, Mt Hercules,in early December. (Picture taken on 11 December 2019.) Photo: Supplied / NZTA

This includes the section currently still closed from Mount Hercules south of Harihari to Whataroa.

The agency's senior network manager, Colin Hey, said work to repair the damage caused by recent rain and slips was weather dependent, but multiple crews and machinery were now on the job.

"There is rain forecast for the coming days but at this stage, it should not affect progress significantly," Hey said.

He said good progress was being made at a number of sites.

Drivers were advised that some sections of the road would be single lane, and traffic management would be in place even once the road was fully open.

The agency said the journey into the glacier townships from the Otago side could take an extra hour, with two active work sites and single lane traffic in the Fox Hills between Fox and Franz Josef.

The road was single lane over the Haast Pass at Clarke Bluff rockfall site.

There is significant repair and remediation needed south of Haast at Clarke Bluff towards the Haast Pass where rockfall has kept the highway to single lane this week.

Mr Hey said State Highway 6 south of Haast will be closed for 24 hours from midday Wednesday 18 December, as explosives will be used on clearance works.

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