Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has confirmed that it is aiming to fully reopen State Highway 6 south of Hokitika to Makarora in Otago in time for Christmas. This includes the only section currently still closed, with the most slips and damage, Mt Hercules south of Harihari to Whataroa. 

“Whilst this work is weather dependent, we have multiple crews and machinery working in this section of Mt Hercules currently and have made good progress at a number of sites including the Little Man Creek bridge washout,” says Colin Hey, senior network manager from NZTA.

“There is rain in the forecast for the coming days but at this stage, it should not affect progress significantly.” Some sections will be single lane with stop/go traffic management even once the road is fully open. “There are multiple crews working hard this week on this stretch, still closing south of Haast Wed to Thursday  24 hours to do explosives work at Clarke Bluff, midday to midday or 1pm to 1pm Makarora,” said Frances Adank, Media Manager at NZTA. 

Good news however, route south of Whataroa open 24/7 now with caveat on rainfall. SH6 Franz Josef to Fox Glacier is also open 24 hours a day. NZTA recommends adding an additional hour of drive to your itineraries and also asks everyone to take care around their hard-working crew members and their machines this holiday season. Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey.