Latest update - 76 December
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 if you can't register on line 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 day of scheduled travel. If you apply after 3pm for the following day your application will not be 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 incase you are stranded on, or at either end of the route. These include a spare tyre, food, water, extra clothes and a sleeping bag.
In regards to local residents who live along the Inland Route 70. They do not have to apply for a travel request form, they have 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.
Trailer Day Friday 9 December
Vehicles will be able to tow trailers on the Inland Route 70 this Friday 9 December.
Vehicles travelling into Kaikoura on the morning convoy (be at Mt Lyford at 8am) will be restricted to towing light trailers and caravans only. These will need to have a current warrant of fitness. No heavy trailers will be permitted in the morning because of essential emergency works that need to be carried out on the route on Friday.
Heavy truck and trailer units will form part of the afternoon’s convoy of southbound vehicles (be at checkpoint at 3pm) from Kaikoura. These units need to have a current certificate of fitness. This is to enable freight operators to get vehicles out of Kaikoura that have been stranded in the seaside town since the earthquakes. Cars towing light trailers and caravans will also be able to be part of this convoy.
As with all convoys, vehicles must be registered to travel the Inland Route 70 and over-dimension vehicles will need the required permits. (We advise over dimension vehicles to check their vehicle will be able to travel the route prior to their journey.)
Supervised convoy schedule from November 30, 2016
Heavy construction activities - controlled access only| Day | Open Period North Bound | Open Period South Bound | Vehicle Types |
| Thursday 8 | 0800- 0900 | 1500-1600 | Heavy Vehicle, 4WD and Light vehicles |
| Friday 9 | 0800- 0900 | 1500-1600 | Heavy Vehicle, 4WD and Light vehicles |
| Saturday 10 | |||
Tuesday 13 Dec | 0800- 0900 | 1500-1600 | Heavy Vehicle, 4WD and Light vehicles |
| Wednesday 14 | |||
| Thursday 15 |
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 permitted
- No 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
Road restrictions – yellow route
The only road with a restriction in yellow: the inland 70 route (KEA) from Waiau to Kaikoura please see above for information.
The road is open between Picton and Clarence.
The road is open from Cheviot to Claverley Road just north of the Conway Flat.
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.
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
- 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