West Coast: SH6 to reopen tonight as temporary fix installed

April 12, 2024
The extent of the washout at Smithy's Creek on State Highway 6, between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.

State Highway 6 on the West Coast will reopen tonight at 6pm.

Waka Kotahi NZTA said all highways throughout the West Coast will then be open and accessible.

However, drivers are being urged to continue to take care and drive to the conditions given the recent flooding and slips in the region.

The last section of SH6, which runs along the West Coast between Hokitika and Haast, will open at 6 pm, and remain open through the night, subject to conditions.

This is the section between the two glacier towns, Fox and Franz Josef. Travellers can expect delays up to 30 minutes given it is a temporary road surface over Smithy’s Creek bridge for this weekend.

“Crews started the temporary repair as soon as rain abated earlier today and with the creek level dropping, they were able to better assess what needed to be done. In this case we were lucky, the damage caused was not as bad as we had feared when the creek was overtopping the area,” said NZTA system Manager for Canterbury and the West Coast Mark Pinner.

“A rock bench under the road has meant the scour of the approach was not as severe as originally anticipated, and we have been able to get a single lane, temporary road through today.”

There is significant damage to State Highway 6 after wild weather lashed the West Coast.

Photos released earlier of State Highway 6 on the West Coast revealed the extent of the damage caused by wild weather this week.

Speaking to 1News this morning, NZTA maintenance contractor Moira Whinham said while the damage "isn't ideal", teams are confident the damage will be under control in the next couple of days.

A digger hard at work clearing the debris at Smithy's Creek on State Highway 6.

MetService meteorologist John Law told Breakfast this morning it was a "good day to be keeping an eye on the weather radar", as the deluge moves to the North Island.

"The good news for the West Coast is the rain is easing away," he said.

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