Highway north of Murchison closed 'until midweek'

Monday, 11 November 2019

Rain in the Tasman district has caused slips and flooding on State Highway 6 north of Murchison.

A big slip that has closed State Highway 6 between Korere and Glenhope, north of Murchison, will take until at least mid-week until it is cleared.

The Transport Agency advises all road users on SH6 in Tasman District, south of Nelson, to build in extra time and be aware the detour may also have short areas of one lane as smaller slips from the weekend rain are cleared.

A spokesperson for NZTA said the slips originated from 'quite high' in the bushline.

The stretch of closed road is just north of Murchison, with a detour in place using SH63 and Korere-Tophouse Rd.

NZ Transport Agency spokesperson Frances Adank said the slip began quite high in the bushline above the road.

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Several trucks became stuck between slips on State Highway 6 overnight.

Some trucks had been trapped between slips but they had been brought out safely.

A detour was in place while contractors work to clear the debris and reopen the road, which is the main route between Nelson and Christchurch, and the West Coast and Nelson.

Northbound traffic is advised to turn right onto SH63 through St Arnaud, then left onto Korere-Tophouse Road and continue to SH6, with the reverse in place for southbound traffic.

Adank said the detour was suitable for heavy traffic but would add on at least 20 minutes or so.

Police said emergency services had responded overnight to several reports of blockages on SH6 between Murchison and Glenhope.

It said there were numerous weather-related incidents such as slips, flooding and fallen trees.

Police advised motorists to delay travel or avoid the area.

NZTA said although it had stopped raining on Monday, it was unlikely the highway would reopen until mid-week at the earliest, given the extent of repairs needed over a relatively short area of highway.

NZTA System Manager Andrew James said all stranded vehicles, caught between slips last night, were safely removed earlier on Monday. Road users were all accounted for and safe throughout.

'The slips fed by three separate creeks leading into the area have caused road and roadside barrier damage, damaged the highway seal and culverts also need to be cleared,' James said.