Further rock falls close Otago/West Coast Highway tonight

The NZ Transport Agency says slip debris that came down overnight on State highway six at a slip site near Makarora has forced the closure of this section of highway for a second night.

The overnight closure is from 7pm tonight 2 October until 7am tomorrow, 3 October 2012.

NZ Transport Agency Central Otago Area Manager John Jarvis says further overnight rain has seen a considerable amount of material from exposed areas at the top slip come down on to the road. On-going stability issues in this area of the slip left us little option other than to close the highway to ensure the safety of road users.

“Wet weather over the last couple of days has hampered the efforts of our contractor to clear debris from the site and has prevented them working for any length of time in the areas of the slip that need to be stabilised.”

Mr Jarvis said it will be two to three weeks at least before both lanes of the highway are restored. A single lane of highway is open during the day and motorists should plan for some minor delays.

The night time closures will be reviewed daily with the latest information on this closure available at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz.