Severe flooding, fallen trees, and multiple slips have forced the closure of State Highway 6 (SH6) between Haast and Ross on the West Coast, with the highway expected to remain closed all weekend, according to the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). Although the stretch between Makarora in Otago and Haast township has reopened, extensive work is still required in other affected areas.

Heavy rainfall battered the West Coast overnight, impacting the Grey and Buller districts, although forecasts suggest the rain may ease later today. NZTA said cracks discovered in the highway at Knights Point—where the 2012 Epitaph Slip occurred—have raised additional concerns and will require further geotechnical inspection today and tomorrow.

“Our crews will continue to clean up the fallen trees and slips around Bruce Bay, the glacier towns, and south of Ross, but the Knights Point cracks are of more concern,” said Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA in the Central South Island. Pinner explained that a surveyor would be on-site this afternoon, with more aerial geotechnical assessments scheduled for Sunday morning. SH6 through Knights Point will remain closed until at least Monday, with updates on the route between Fox Glacier and Haast expected by 10 am that day.

Due to the closure, there are currently no detour routes for SH6 at Knights Point. Travelers needing to reach Greymouth or Hokitika are advised to use Arthur’s Pass or the Lewis Pass from the east coast, or consider postponing their travel plans.

Other closures include:

•SH6 from Ross south to Fox Glacier, with an update due at 3 pm Saturday.

•Fox Glacier south to Haast, likely closed until Monday morning, with the next update scheduled for 10 am Monday.

The road into Milford Sound Piopiotahi (SH94) reopened at 9 am today, and the Makarora to Haast section of SH6 reopened shortly before 11 am Saturday.

For the latest updates, travellers can visit the West Coast page of NZTA’s traffic and travel updates at NZTA’s website.