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Otago Daily Times
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Snow-hit highways in Otago open, but care needed
All state highways in Otago have reopened after heavy snow, but motorists are advised to take care amid more snow and rain warnings. Check state highways here A low off the South Island east coast was expected to bring heavy rain to the lower South Island and more snow to inland parts of Otago and Southland on Saturday, MetService says. A heavy snow watch remains in place for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha from 9am until 7pm today. Periods of heavy snow were expected above 400 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. A heavy rain watch was also in place for Southland about and east of Mossburn from 9am until 3pm today. Periods of heavy rain were expected and amounts may approach warning criteria. There were ice warnings at Middlemarch and Outram, near Dunedin. The NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi said crews had working hard to reopen state highways following heavy snow. State Highway 85 from Omakau to Kyeburn had reopened by 10.15am The Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) from Tarras to Omarama was the next to open by 11am, followed by SH87 from Middlemarch to Kyeburn and SH85 from Kyeburn to Palmerston by 11.20am. A spokeswoman for Southern police said motorists should drive to conditions and allow for extra time on their journey. "Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and wearing seatbelts will also ensure a safe trip. Our roads are unforgiving and less predictable in our icy winter conditions, please drive with caution." In Central Otago, thick snow and ice was affecting roads in the Manuherekia and Maniototo areas, and caution was advised if using them, a spokeswoman for the district council said. By 10am the Ida Valley Omakua Road had reopened. However, rain and snow flurries were continuing and isolated areas of flooding were to be expected throughout Central Otago, she said. The Danseys Pass Road was closed from the gates past the Danseys Pass hotel. Heavy snow was affecting the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wānaka this morning, and chains are needed if using the alpine pass. A snow warning was also in place for Southland's Milford Rad (SH94). Ski fields near Wānaka have been blanketed, with Cardona Alpine Resort reporting 29cm of fresh snow overnight and more expected throughout the day. "The forecast has snow continuing throughout the morning and snow flurries over the day. Lifts will be delayed opening. Our teams are out assessing conditions, and we will open terrain as soon as its safe." At Treble Cone, 25cm had fallen in time for the ski field's opening day today. "Triple Treat groomed flat with fresh snow on top and we aim to open Upper Main Street and Big Skite pending patrol setup. Take care if venturing off-trail as this snow is thin. Cafe will be cranking with live DJs this afternoon." Drivers were advised chains were needed at both ski fields. Meanwhile, flood repair works are scheduled for SH1 near Hampden in North Otago and SH8 near Lawrence and Beaumont. Stop and go traffic controls may be in place, RNZ reported. Snow warnings for alpine roads LINDIS PASS (SH8)From midnight on Friday until 9pm on Saturday Snow is forecast to lower to 600 metres, and 3cm to 6cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 600 metres.
Otago Daily Times
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Highways in South reopening but care urged
Some state highways in Otago reopening after heavy snow, but motorists are still advised to take care amid more snow and rain warnings. Check state highways here A low off the South Island east coast was expected to bring heavy rain to the lower South Island and more snow to inland parts of Otago and Southland on Saturday, MetService says. A heavy snow watch remains in place for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha from 9am until 7pm today. Periods of heavy snow were expected above 400 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. A heavy rain watch was also in place for Southland about and east of Mossburn from 9am until 3pm today. Periods of heavy rain were expected and amounts may approach warning criteria. Southern police are advising motorists to be aware of road closures and to take caution when driving today. The NZ Transport Agency/ Waka Kotahi said crews were working hard to reopen state highways. Heavy snow had closed the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) from Tarras to Omarama, but the road was open by 11am. SH85 from Omakau to Kyeburn had reopened by 10.15am. However, SH87 from Middlemarch to Kyeburn and SH85 from Kyeburn to Palmerston remained closed. A police spokeswoman said motorists should limit themselves to essential travel only and allow for extra time on their journey. "Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and wearing seatbelts will also ensure a safe trip. Our roads are unforgiving and less predictable in our icy winter conditions, please drive with caution." In Central Otago, thick snow and ice was affecting roads in the Manuherekia and Maniototo areas, and caution was advised if using them, a spokeswoman for the district council said. By 10am the Ida Valley Omakua Road had reopened. However, rain and snow flurries were continuing and isolated areas of flooding were to be expected throughout Central Otago, she said. The Danseys Pass Road was closed from the gates past the Danseys Pass hotel. Heavy snow was affecting the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wānaka this morning, and a snow warning was also in place for Southland's Milford Rad (SH94). There were ice warnings at Middlemarch and Outram, near Dunedin. Ski fields near Wānaka have been blanketed, with Cardona Alpine Resort reporting 29cm of fresh snow overnight and more expected throughout the day. "The forecast has snow continuing throughout the morning and snow flurries over the day. Lifts will be delayed opening. Our teams are out assessing conditions, and we will open terrain as soon as its safe." At Treble Cone, 25cm had fallen in time for the ski field's opening day today. "Triple Treat groomed flat with fresh snow on top and we aim to open Upper Main Street and Big Skite pending patrol setup. Take care if venturing off-trail as this snow is thin. Cafe will be cranking with live DJs this afternoon." Drivers were advised chains were needed at both ski fields. Meanwhile, flood repair works are scheduled for SH1 near Hampden in North Otago and SH8 near Lawrence and Beaumont. Stop and go traffic controls may be in place, RNZ reported. Snow warnings for alpine roads LINDIS PASS (SH8)From midnight on Friday until 9pm on Saturday Snow is forecast to lower to 600 metres, and 3cm to 6cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 600 metres.
Otago Daily Times
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Snow-hit highways reopening, but care needed
Some state highways in Otago reopening after heavy snow, but motorists are still advised to take care amid more snow and rain warnings. Check state highways here A low off the South Island east coast was expected to bring heavy rain to the lower South Island and more snow to inland parts of Otago and Southland on Saturday, MetService says. A heavy snow watch remains in place for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha from 9am until 7pm today. Periods of heavy snow were expected above 400 metres, where snowfall amounts may approach warning criteria. A heavy rain watch was also in place for Southland about and east of Mossburn from 9am until 3pm today. Periods of heavy rain were expected and amounts may approach warning criteria. Southern police are advising motorists to be aware of road closures and to take caution when driving today. The NZ Transport Agency/ Waka Kotahi said crews were working hard to reopen state highways. Heavy snow had closed the Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) from Tarras to Omarama, but the road was open by 11am. SH85 from Omakau to Kyeburn had reopened by 10.15am. However, SH87 from Middlemarch to Kyeburn and SH85 from Kyeburn to Palmerston remained closed. A police spokeswoman said motorists should limit themselves to essential travel only and allow for extra time on their journey. "Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and wearing seatbelts will also ensure a safe trip. Our roads are unforgiving and less predictable in our icy winter conditions, please drive with caution." In Central Otago, thick snow and ice was affecting roads in the Manuherekia and Maniototo areas, and caution was advised if using them, a spokeswoman for the district council said. By 10am the Ida Valley Omakua Road had reopened. However, rain and snow flurries were continuing and isolated areas of flooding were to be expected throughout Central Otago, she said. The Danseys Pass Road was closed from the gates past the Danseys Pass hotel. Heavy snow was affecting the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wānaka this morning, and a snow warning was also in place for Southland's Milford Rad (SH94). There were ice warnings at Middlemarch and Outram, near Dunedin. Ski fields near Wānaka have been blanketed, with Cardona Alpine Resort reporting 29cm of fresh snow overnight and more expected throughout the day. "The forecast has snow continuing throughout the morning and snow flurries over the day. Lifts will be delayed opening. Our teams are out assessing conditions, and we will open terrain as soon as its safe." At Treble Cone, 25cm had fallen in time for the ski field's opening day today. "Triple Treat groomed flat with fresh snow on top and we aim to open Upper Main Street and Big Skite pending patrol setup. Take care if venturing off-trail as this snow is thin. Cafe will be cranking with live DJs this afternoon." Drivers were advised chains were needed at both ski fields. Meanwhile, flood repair works are scheduled for SH1 near Hampden in North Otago and SH8 near Lawrence and Beaumont. Stop and go traffic controls may be in place, RNZ reported. Snow warnings for alpine roads LINDIS PASS (SH8)From midnight on Friday until 9pm on Saturday Snow is forecast to lower to 600 metres, and 3cm to 6cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 600 metres.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Fletcher Building joint venture resolves dispute with NZTA over Puhoi motorway delay
Fletcher Building and its 50% joint venture partner Acciona have reached a settlement with the NZ Transport Agency and the Northern Express Group over Covid-related delays to the construction of the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway. The motorway opened in June 2023, well beyond its original December 2021 scheduled opening. The
1News
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- 1News
Curious, concerned: Picton residents weigh in on SH1 changes
In a small room in Picton's library, dozens of people have gathered to discuss the intricacies of truck routes, intersections, school crossings, and parking spaces. They pored over stands and wall displays, showing the proposed permanent State Highway 1 route along Kent St to the ferry terminal, instead of through central Picton. The proposed changes have already caused controversy, with one resident calling the changes 'horrible', when they were announced on June 11. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's pop-up sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday hummed with questions, fresh ideas and a bit of debate. But not from Heather Hopkins, a resident of upper Kent St, who had popped in on Wednesday afternoon to see how the highway would go past her home. She was pretty happy, she said. ADVERTISEMENT Picton resident Heather Hopkins says she has no concerns about NZTA's proposed changes. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) 'I'm not really affected, I just wanted more information,' Hopkins said. '[I have] no concerns at all, it'll be free flowing once everyone gets used to it.' In the evening session, people were most drawn to the board showing where Kent St met the Wairau Rd/SH1 intersection, which would take ferry passengers and freight trucks from the terminals out of town under the new proposal. Lara O'Brien, who lived around the corner from Kent St, said the intersection's new alignment would would cut residents off from their own town centre during peak traffic. Drivers on SH1 south of Kent St wanting to get into central Picton would need to make a right-hand turn onto Wairau Rd towards Nelson Square. During peak ferry traffic, they would be stuck in a right-turning lane with no gaps, O'Brien said. Changes to the intersection of State Highway 1 and Wairau Rd are proposed as part of a realignment of SH1 through Picton. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) ADVERTISEMENT 'These people [leaving the ferry terminal] get to just go, but people going to town, when do they get to go?' O'Brien said. 'You get 60 trucks coming out of the ferry terminal ...This is going to be a congestion point for locals coming out of town.' Another group lingered around the board showing the relocation of the Picton School crossing on Kent St. Many of the attendees were reluctant to speak publicly about their opinions on the divisive subject. The loss of roadside parking and problems with trucks parking along the road were common complaints. A truck driver from Levin, whose cousin was a Picton-based truckie, came along to the evening session. He said NZTA did a similar consultation about a pedestrian overpass in Levin, and he was sceptical that feedback would alter the proposal. Graphics supplied by NZTA show the loss of parking on Kent St under the new proposal. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) A Picton resident praised NZTA for moving the crossing outside Picton School back to its original position, saying he didn't know why it was put there a few years ago. 'They're just putting it back to where it was because people don't use it.' ADVERTISEMENT NZTA regional manager of system design Robert Osborne said the sessions were a valuable way of sharing information with Picton residents and getting their feedback. 'The drop-in sessions were all well attended with around 30-40 people each session, and some coming to visit us a couple of times to ask further questions,' Osborne said. 'We received a great range of questions and comments which will help us with our detailed design work. 'We also understand ... that there will likely be a wide range of opinions about them. 'However, this project is aimed at improving Picton's roads and making it easier for people to get around. We look forward to continuing to hear from the community about our plans.' Design plans would now be finalised and work would start next winter. By Kira Carrington for Local Democracy Reporting ADVERTISEMENT LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
