Travel information for Canterbury and Marlborough regions

Latest update - 29 November

Kaikoura emergency access road (inland route 70 - 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 aim is to restore single-lane controlled access for residents and essential services by mid-December. This is dependent on weather 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 route and access is 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 or by calling 03 353 9494 between 7am-6pm Monday to Friday, to be included on regular supervised convoys.

For safety reasons only people that have registered with the Transport Agency will be able to travel during the scheduled times.

 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.

 Supervised convoy schedule from November 30, 2016

Light Vehicles - 30 Nov and 2, 6, 8 December

Heavy Vehicles and 4WD over 3.5 tonne on 1, 5, 7, 9 December

 The convoys will depart from the inland road at Mt Lyford (northbound traffic) and from the Kaikoura checkpoint (Kaikoura end of the inland route).

 The route will only be open to the NZ Defence Force and essential infrastructure vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays to allow contractors to carry out major road repairs and maintain the route.

 Cancellation - If a convoy is cancelled due to weather or safety issues you will need to re-apply for the next suitable slot.

 Vehicle definitions

• 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 permitted
• No towing (except for agricultural vehicles towing essential equipment)

Any enquiries should go through to EQSHRoadInfo@nzta.govt.nz or 03 353 9494 which will be manned from 0700 - 1800, Monday - Friday.

Road restrictions – yellow routes

Canterbury / Marlborough travel mapCanterbury / Marlborough travel map

The roads with restrictions in yellow: the inland 70 route (KEA) from Waiau to Kaikoura please see above for information. From SH1 Ward to SH1 Clarence is for essential services and residents only at this time.

The road is open between Picton and Ward but is down to one lane in multiple places –  please take extra care.

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 and vice versa.  

View the map.

The trip from Picton to Christchurch or vice versa will take about seven and a half hours. Everyone is asked to take extra care when travelling on this route and allow plenty of time for their trip.

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. However the Transport Agency strongly recommends drivers build in extra time to their travel plans as delays are likely. There is currently four times the usual amount of traffic on this route, including more truck and trailer units.
• Drivers need to be extra cautious and patient. 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 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. There are rest stops with fuel, food and toilets at Culverden, Springs Junction, Murchison and St Arnaud.
  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

For information on state highways affected by earthquake:

• Visit  www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Call 0800  44 44 49

• Email  EQSHRoadInfo@nzta.govt.nz

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