State Highway 1 south of Kaikōura has reopened to traffic, restoring the South Island’s main transport link after severe flooding forced its closure last week.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi confirmed the highway reopened at midday on Wednesday, providing welcome relief for residents, freight operators, businesses and travellers who have been relying on lengthy inland detours.
While the route is once again open, motorists are being urged to travel with caution. A section of more than one kilometre near Hawkswood, where floodwaters from the Conway River severely damaged the road, has been reduced to a single lane operating under 24-hour stop-go traffic management. Those restrictions are expected to remain in place for several weeks while permanent repairs are completed.
Road users should also expect delays of up to 20 minutes, with wait times potentially reaching 30 minutes during peak travel periods as traffic is managed through the damaged section. Despite those delays, NZTA says the reopened highway offers a significant improvement over the alternative route via State Highways 7, 65, 6 and 63.
The reopening follows an intensive repair effort after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding, erosion and slips across the region. Crews worked around the clock to stabilise damaged sections of road, clear rockfalls and strengthen vulnerable areas before the route could safely reopen.
Although SH1 is now open, Inland Route 70 west of Kaikōura remains closed, and geotechnical specialists will continue monitoring the highway for any further slip risks following last week’s severe weather.
The reopening is expected to provide a major boost for freight movements, tourism and local businesses that have been significantly affected by the disruption, while allowing communities along the east coast to reconnect more easily with the rest of the South Island.
NZTA is asking all motorists to respect temporary speed limits, traffic management and road crews as repair work continues over the coming weeks.
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