Vehicles towed out of Porters Pass after getting stuck in snow
Porters Pass Sunday evening, 7 August, SH73: Vehicles had to be towed before the route could be reopened around 8.30 pm after closing at 5pm.
South Island drivers are being urged to check the NZ Transport Agency website for road closures, before heading through alpine areas and inland Otago this week.
Several vehicles had to be towed out of Porters Pass last night after getting stuck in snow and ice.
Snow closed SH1 south of Kaikōura earlier today but it has since reopened with road patrols active.
Waka Kotahi Journey Manager Tresca Forrester, said “expect driving conditions to be challenging and road conditions to change quickly through the week.
People should check the Waka Kotahi map and MetService snow forecasts.”
Closed currently due to snow – Otago/Canterbury
SH8 Fairlie to Twizel, Burkes Pass
SH8 Tarras to Omarama, the Lindis Pass
SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn
SH87 Outram, west of Mosgiel, to Kyeburn
SH6 at Kingston, south of the Devil’s Staircase, key route to Queenstown: A significant drop out Friday night has reduced this highway to single lane. Drivers need to build in extra time and take care along this route to Queenstown.
Canterbury: Not closed but snowing and chains needed some routes:
SH73, Porters Pass, Springfield to Castle Hill and Arthur’s Pass to Otira: Chains essential, no towing vehicles.
SH7, the Lewis Pass north and west of Waipara: Snowing down to Shale Peak, snow Weka Pass to Hurunui, strong winds – care needed, especially high-sided vehicles.
SH77, Windwhistle to Methven: Road patrol active, closed to towing vehicles and chains essential.
Mossburn to Te Anau, SH94 Southland
Care is needed on this route due to snow and ice.
Dunedin to Waitati, SH1
Ice along this route, drivers need to take care.
CLOSED Traffic update 10AM
SH8 Fairlie to Twizel (Burkes Pass) - SNOW and ICE
SH8 Tarras to Omarama (Lindis Pass) - SNOW
SH85 Palmerston to Kyeburn - SNOW
SH87 Outram to Kyeburn - SNOW
OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS
SH77 Windwhistle to Methven - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles
SH73 Arthurs Pass to Otria - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles
SH73 Castle Hill to Arthurs Pass - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles
SH73 Springfield to Castle Hill - Snow - Chains essential - Closed to towing vehicles..
OPEN WITH CAUTION
SH1 Pine Hill, Dunedin to Waitati - Ice
SH6 Hokitika to Fox Glacier - Strong Winds
SH6 Fox Glacier to Haast - Strong Winds
SH6 Haast to Makarora - Strong Winds
SH6 Cromwell to Gibbston (Kawerau Gorge) - Rockfalls
NEW: SH7 Hanmer Turnoff to Springs Junction (Lewis Pass) - Strong Winds
NEW: SH7 Springs Junction to Reefton (Rahu Saddle) - Strong Winds
SH79 Geraldine to Fairlie - Snow and Ice
SH80 Ben Ohau to Mount Cook - Snow and Ice
UPDATE: SH85 Kyeburn to Alexandra - SNOW
SH87 Outram to Kyeburn - Snow
SH94 Mossburn to Te Anau - Snow
SH94 Te Anau to Milford - Strong Winds
OPEN
SH1 Hundalee, near Claverley Rd - SNOW
All other State Highways remain open.
