📋 Tender Overview
UPDATE 28 June 6:15 am:
State Highway 1 has reopened between Koromiko between Koromiko and Mount Pleasant.
The highway reopened at around 5:45 am this morning.
Current State Highway Closures:
SH6 Blenheim between Curry Street and Hutchenson Street
SH6 Belgrove to Kohatu, between Belgrove and Quinneys Bush (near Kohatu)
SH60 Motueka River Bridge to Riwaka-Kaiteriteri Road
SH63 Renwick to Saint Arnaud
More Information:
Update 5:30pm, 27 June:
State Highway 1 is now closed between Spring Creek and Koromiko due to flooding.
There is no access for traffic between Picton and Blenheim as no local road detours are available. Drivers with Picton ferry connections can expect delays until floodwaters subside and the road reopens.
Current State Highway Closures:
SH60 - Riwaka, Motueka River Bridge to Riwaka/Kaiteriteri Road
SH6 - Belgrove to Quinneys Bush (near Kohatu)
SH63 - Renwick to Saint Arnaud
SH6/Nelson Street (Blenheim) - closed between Curry St and Hutcheson St (local road detours available
SH1 - Koromiko to Tuamarina
Update 5pm:
State Highways are beginning to reopen in the top of the South Island this afternoon.
State Highway 6 has reopened between Nelson and Blenheim.
The highways closure in Tasman has been reduced and now only applies between Belgrove and Quinneys Bush (near Kohatu). This section of State Highway 6 is expected to remain closed overnight due to fallen trees, flooding, and a slip on Spooners Hill. Contractors are working to clear these.
State Highway 60 is now open between Richmond and Collingwood, but with one localised closure in place from the Motueka River Bridge to Riwaka/Kaiteriteri Road.
While the weather is easing, road conditions remain hazardous. Road users should drive with extreme caution.
Current State Highway Closures:
SH60 - Riwaka, Motueka River Bridge to Riwaka/Kaiteriteri Road
SH6 - Belgrove to Quinneys Bush (near Kohatu)
SH63 - Renwick to Saint Arnaud
SH6/Nelson Street (Blenheim) - closed between Curry St and Hutcheson St (local road detours available)
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island / Top of the South says there has been extensive flooding on both state highways and local roads and this is why some closures remain in place.
This limits the detours available, and safety has to be the priority overnight. Roads will be reopened when it is safe to do so. Please, avoid any unnecessary travel and stay off closed roads - dont put yourself or others at risk.
And Mr Owen warns that when roads do reopen, drivers cant take a business-as-usual approach.
This weather will have damaged highways and local roads, and not all of it will be immediately apparent. Please, drive cautiously and be ready for any hazards the flooding may have caused.
Looking ahead, drivers will also need to be ready for ongoing roadworks and repairs across the network. While we still have to assess what needs to be done, road users can expect to see traffic management at various locations across the top of the South over the coming weeks, Mr Owen says.
He says there has been some good news from recent project works completed over the summer state highway maintenance season.
Earlier this year we completed flood protection works on State Highway 1 near Dashwood. This is an area that used to commonly be closed by flood water during heavy rain.
However, today the works proved their worth and the highway remained open, Mr Owen says.
Regular updates on the flooding and its impact are being provided by Civil Defence, local Councils, and other partner agencies. People are encouraged to check their updates for the latest information, and to report any state highway faults or damage to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
Update 11:45am
Multiple state highway closures remain in place across the top of the South Island as heavy rain and flooding continues to affect the region.
Highway closures:
SH60 - Richmond to Collingwood
SH6 - Richmond to Kohatu (this closure was extended from Belgrove just before 10 am)
SH6 - Havelock to Hira
SH63 - Renwick to Saint Arnaud
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island / Top of the South says the closures are necessary to keep people safe.
States of Emergency have been declared in Nelson City, Tasman District, and the Blenheim Ward in Marlborough. That shows how serious the situation is.
It is critical people stay off closed roads. Disobeying closures puts yourself and others at risk, Mr Owen says.
He says work is ongoing across the network to assess the flooding and damage it has caused.We know people want to know when roads will reopen, but we can only do this when it is safe to do so. We will provide updates as the situation changes.
It is too soon to quantify how much damage the bad weather has caused. That will be assessed once this weather has passed and we move from a response to recovery approach, Mr Owen says.
In the meantime, Mr Owen says people should continue to check weather and road condition updates, as well as information provided by local councils and Civil Defence.
Local authorities and agencies are working closely on this and doing their best to get information out as quickly as possible. Make sure you follow their updates.
People are also encouraged to report any state highway faults or damage to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
More Information:
Update 9:30am
There has been an additional State Highway closure in the top of the South Island due to bad weather and flooding.
State Highway 6 is now closed to all traffic between Hira and Rai Valley.
Other Closures:
SH60 - Richmond to Collingwood
SH63 - Renwick to St Arnaud
SH6 - Belgrove to Richmond
Drivers must stay off weather-affected highways while they remain closed and avoid any unnecessary travel.
Update 8:20 am
Bad weather and flooding are causing further state highway closures in the top of the South Island this morning.
Drivers must stay off weather-affected highways while they remain closed and avoid any unnecessary travel.
Nelson/Ta
