SH1 reopening on Wednesday

SH1 south of Kaikōura is scheduled to reopen at midday on Wednesday (15 July), NZTA announced on Monday afternoon.

The Marlborough-Canterbury connector on the coast has been closed since last week because of the effects of severe flooding caused by a red-level rainstorm.

"Subject to any further slips or safety concerns identified by experts, the section of SH1 between Cheviot and Kaikōura will be open to all traffic types," NZTA said in announcing the noon Wednesday reopening.

However, NZTA advised motorists will face "a single lane operating with a reduced speed limit and ‘stop/go’ traffic management 24-7 where the floodwaters have eaten away chunks of the road. This traffic management is likely to stay in place for several weeks while the full width of the highway is reinstated."

While that roadway is set to reopen, Inland Route 70 (Inland Kaikōura Road) to the west of Kaikōura remained closed. A detour route via SH7, SH65, SH6 and SH63 was still available.