Rockfall has again closed the Arthur’s Pass to Otira highway.

The SH73 route between the West Coast and Canterbury was closed around 1 am this morning when heavy rain caused more rocks and debris to fall onto the highway on the western side of the Rock Shelter, near the Otira viaduct.

The rockfall initially started on Tuesday this week, causing a brief closure that afternoon, according to the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

The rockfall resumed overnight due to heavy rain.

“With rain continuing throughout the day, the road will remain closed today, with the next update on SH73 expected by midday on Saturday, 24 August,” said Moira Whinham, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA on the West Coast.

“Our first concern is the safety of our teams and road users, and until conditions stabilize enough to allow safe access to clear the area, the road will remain closed,” she added. “Conditions will be reassessed on Saturday to determine whether it will be safe to open during daylight hours going forward.”

The weather forecast through to Tuesday next week predicts continuing periods of heavy rain for the West Coast/Main Divide, which may result in ongoing closures of SH73 at the Rock Shelter.

As an alternative, people should use the Lewis Pass route via Waipara and Reefton/SH7, which adds about an hour to the journey between Christchurch and the West Coast, Whinham said.