Latest update - 1614 December
Kaikoura Inland Routeemergency access road (inland route 70 open from Monday 19 December 8am for unrestricted 24/7 travel.- controlled access only)
NZ Transport Agency contractors and local work crews are working hard to re-establish access to Kaikoura from the south via State Highway 1.
The Kaikoura Inland Route 70 will be open from 8am Monday 19 December for 24/7aim is to restore single-lane controlled access from 8am to all traffic subject to any major aftershocks or extreme weather over the weekend.
There will be speed restrictionsfor residents and traffic control in place on the route as workessential services by mid-December. This is continuingdependent on many sections of the road. We recommend that you allow extra time and take extra care for your own safetyweather and any further significant seismic activity.
In the meantime the Transport Agency is working to increase public access in and out of Kaikoura via the inland road (route 70) as an urgent priority.
At present the inland road (route 70) is still a fragile and hazardous with access controlled by the Transport Agency, Kaikoura District Council and Hurunui District Council.
People who need to travel into or out of Kaikoura can register here if you can't register online please call 0800 44 44 49.
For safety reasons only people that have registered with the Transport Agency will be able to travel during the scheduled times.
You must register by 3pm before the safetyday of those working on the road.
scheduled travel. If you have previously appliedapply after 3pm for travel next week, as there are now no restrictions please travel atthe following day your own convenience. You no longer need to apply for access andapplication will not receive a confirmation text on your scheduled day of travel.
The road will remain closed this weekend to allow final works and safety checks to be completed.processed.
Two texts will be sent to people who have registered for travel - one the night before travel to confirm registration and one to confirm the road is open on the day following safety checks.
A checkpoint is in place northbound and southbound to ensure access to approved vehicles only. Cyclists are not currently permitted on the route.
Please note that you must carry safety gear and provisions in case you are stranded on, or at either end of the route. These include a spare tyre, food, water, extra clothes and a sleeping bag.
(Link to the Ministers release here or our press release)In regards to local residents who live along the Inland Route 70, they do not have to apply via a travel request form, they have the right to travel, as long as they have made contact with the Downer Cordon controllers. They can do this by approaching them at the checkpoints when they want to travel. If you are a supplier of services to residents along the inland Route 70 you will need to apply for a travel request.
Any enquiries should go through to EQSHRoadInfo@nzta.govt.nz or Call 0800 44 44 49
Canterbury / Marlborough travel map
Alternate route - Christchurch to Picton
State Highway 1 is closed to through traffic travelling from Christchurch to Picton
The road is open between Picton and Clarence, and from Cheviot to Claverley Road just north of the Conway Flat, but there are restrictions.
People travelling between Picton and Christchurch need to use the alternate inland highway route – State Highway 6 and 63 to Murchison, and then along State Highway 65 to Springs Junction and through Lewis Pass (State Highway 7) to State Highway 1 at Waipara.
The trip from Picton to Christchurch will take about seven and a half hours. Everyone is asked to take extra care and allow plenty of time for their trip. Current traffic volumes are four times normal and expcted to increase as families head away for the holiday season. Travel times and delays on the route will only get worse.
There's petrol, café and toilet facilities at St Arnaud, Murchison, Springs Junction and Culverden.
Safe driving advice for the alternate route between Picton and Christchurch
- Drivers should expect this journey to take on average seven and a half hours, and be prepared for delays. However the Transport Agency strongly recommends drivers build in extra time to their travel plans with current four times the usual volume of traffic on this route, including more truck and trailer units.
- Drivers need to be extra cautious and patient to slow down and take their time. When possible to do so safely, slower drivers should pull over to let traffic behind them through. This will help prevent drivers behind them becoming frustrated and making poor overtaking decisions.
- This alternate route is narrow and windy in many places and speed restrictions are in place in some areas. Drivers should strictly adhere to the road signage and speed restrictions. Police patrols will be more visible along the alternate state highway route and they will be enforcing speed limits to ensure safety. Transport Agency maintenance contract teams will be present to manage any safety risks and a range of short-term measures are being looked at to help improve the journey time and safety along this route.
- It is important that visitors do not drive fatigued. Fatigue affects drivers’ reactions, ability to concentrate and risk judgement. Stopping and getting a good night’s sleep is the only cure, along with taking regular breaks.
More information about warning signs and how to minimise the risk of fatigue .
Resources
- Preliminary damage assessment zone map
- Safe journeys on the Picton to Christchurch alternate state highway route
- Safe cycling journeys on the Picton to Christchurch alternate state highway route
For information on state highways affected by earthquake:
- Visit www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
- Call 0800 44 44 49
South Island updates
- South Island Facebook
- Twitter (Top of the South)
- Canterbury West Coast Twitter updates
- For Kaikoura inland road route access updates visit the Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury Facebook page
Supervised convoy schedule from November 30, 2016
| Day | Open Period North Bound | Open Period South Bound | Vehicle Types |
| Thursday 15 Dec | 0800- 0900 | 1500-1600 | Heavy Vehicle, 4WD and Light vehicles |
| Friday 16 Dec | 0800- 0900 | 1500-1600 | Heavy Vehicle, 4WD and Light vehicles |
| Saturday 17 Dec | No public convoys | ||
| Sunday 18 Dec | No public convoys | ||
| Monday 19 Dec | 0800-0900 | 1500-1600 | Heavy Vehicle, 4WD and Light vehicles |
| Tuesday 20 Dec | 0800-0900 | 1500-1600 | Heavy Vehicle, 4WD and Light vehicles |
The convoys will depart from the inland road at Mt Lyford (northbound traffic) and from the Kaikoura checkpoint (Kaikoura end of the inland route).
Light Vehicles - any vehicle below 3.5 tonnes. This includes cars, utes, 4wd's, and campervans.Heavy Vehicles - any vehicle above 3.5 tonnes to a maximum of Class 1 heavy commercial vehicles. This includes trucks, buses, NZDF vehicles, construction and agricultural vehicles. See controls below for more information in this regard.No cyclists permittedNo towing (except for agricultural vehicles towing essential equipment)
Click here for more information around vehicle definitions
Click here for more information about the convoys
Any enquiries should go through to EQSHRoadInfo@nzta.govt.nz
Canterbury / Marlborough travel map
Alternate route - Christchurch to Picton
State Highway 1 is closed to through traffic travelling from Christchurch to Picton
The road is open between Picton and Clarence, and from Cheviot to Claverley Road just north of the Conway Flat, but there are restrictions.
People travelling between Picton and Christchurch need to use the alternate inland highway route – State Highway 6 and 63 to Murchison, and then along State Highway 65 to Springs Junction and through Lewis Pass (State Highway 7) to State Highway 1 at Waipara.
The trip from Picton to Christchurch will take about seven and a half hours. Everyone is asked to take extra care and allow plenty of time for their trip. Current traffic volumes are four times normal and expcted to increase as families head away for the holiday season. Travel times and delays on the route will only get worse.
There's petrol, café and toilet facilities at St Arnaud, Murchison, Springs Junction and Culverden.
Safe driving advice for the alternate route between Picton and Christchurch
Drivers should expect this journey to take on average seven and a half hours, and be prepared for delays. However the Transport Agency strongly recommends drivers build in extra time to their travel plans with current four times the usual volume of traffic on this route, including more truck and trailer units.Drivers need to be extra cautious and patient to slow down and take their time. When possible to do so safely, slower drivers should pull over to let traffic behind them through. This will help prevent drivers behind them becoming frustrated and making poor overtaking decisions.This alternate route is narrow and windy in many places and speed restrictions are in place in some areas. Drivers should strictly adhere to the road signage and speed restrictions. Police patrols will be more visible along the alternate state highway route and they will be enforcing speed limits to ensure safety. Transport Agency maintenance contract teams will be present to manage any safety risks and a range of short-term measures are being looked at to help improve the journey time and safety along this route.It is important that visitors do not drive fatigued. Fatigue affects drivers’ reactions, ability to concentrate and risk judgement. Stopping and getting a good night’s sleep is the only cure, along with taking regular breaks.
More information about warning signs and how to minimise the risk of fatigue .
Resources
Preliminary damage assessment zone mapSafe journeys on the Picton to Christchurch alternate state highway routeSafe cycling journeys on the Picton to Christchurch alternate state highway route
For information on state highways affected by earthquake:
Visit www.nzta.govt.nz/trafficCall 0800 44 44 49
South Island updates
South Island FacebookTwitter (Top of the South)Canterbury West Coast Twitter updatesFor Kaikoura inland road route access updates visit the Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury Facebook page