Arthur's Pass highway to reopen after bad weather batters West Coast

Monday, 12 November 2018

The approach to the Goat Creek bridge on State Highway 73 has been washed out as heavy rain batters the West Coast.

The fastest route between Christchurch and the West Coast is set to reopen on Tuesday after storm damage forced its closure five days ago.

A Christchurch Transport Operations Centre spokeswoman said State Highway 73 between Jacksons and Arthur's Pass would reopen at 7am, after it closed on Thursday.

The approach to the Goat Creek bridge on SH73 was washed out in the deluge.

The road by Goat Creek bridge on State Highway 73 was washed out in a deluge.

A detour through Lewis Pass on SH7 has added about 90 minutes to the trip.

Work to repair the damaged section of State Highway 73, between Christchurch and the West Coast.

Heavy rain in the Otira Gorge has damaged the bridge over Goat Creek between Jacksons and Arthur's Pass.

SH 6 between Hokitika and Franz Josef remains down to one lane at some locations due to flooding. A fallen tree and slip between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier is causing delays.