Rock and debris on State Highway Six at Epitaph Rift, South Westland early last week. Photo: Supplied: Waka Kotahi/NZTA
State Highway 6 in Westland could reopen this week with crews working hard over the weekend to remove rocks fallen at the Epitaph Slip, Waka Kotahi says.
The road between Haast and Lake Moeraki was closed just over a week ago when record-breaking rain pummelled the region, causing slips, rockfall and cracking in the highway.
More wet weather last week had hampered the repair job, but conditions cleared up over the weekend, NZTA central South Island system manager Mark Pinner said
"The crew was able to use the helicopter to sluice the highest parts of the rock face on Saturday and has completed most of the safety-critical rock removal over the past two days," he said.
The view from the air. Photo: Supplied: Waka Kotahi/NZTA
On Monday, crews will use that rock to build a bund around the base of the cliff face to reduce the risk of any future rockfall making it onto the road.
Cracks in the highway will also be filled this week and drainage improvements installed to funnel water away from the area.
"Once we get this highway reopened in coming days, scaling and clean-up crews will continue to work at this site for some weeks so it will be a slower journey through this point for some time," Pinner said.
The road closure was frustrating for West Coast and Otago hospitality and tourism operators who rely on the Haast / State Highway 6 loop for much of their summer business, he said.
"We are doing our best to return this road to everyone in a safe condition, ready for the months ahead."
The transport agency would provide an update on Wednesday including a timeline for reopening the road.