New Zealand

New weather stations planned to keep Lewis Pass safe

08:54 am on 3 May 2017

Increased traffic on the mountainous Lewis Pass after the Kaikōura earthquake has prompted plans for two new weather stations on the route, the Transport Agency says.

Snow on the Lewis Pass Photo: Supplied: NZTA

Pete Connors from the agency said they needed to manage ice and snow on the road with increased traffic through Lewis Pass due to the closure of State Highway 1 because of November's 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

Mr Connors said two weather stations would be installed along what was now the main route between Picton and Christchurch.

An emergency cell phone site would also be built at Boyle Lodge, as well as short-range cellphone towers.

However, Mr Connors said the road would still have to close during intense snowfall.