Heavy rain during the last 48 hours has closed three South Island roads.

State Highway 94 from Lumsden to Te Anau is closed with a bridge washout at Whitestone River (a half hour detour is in place from Hillside Road to Manapouri); State Highway 6 is closed near Makarora with washout damage to three sections of the road and at Haast Pass because of slips; and State Highway 73 is closed from Cass to Jacksons because of flooding and slips.

SH 94 Milford Road, from Cascade Creek to Milford Sound, also remains closed this morning until a road inspection is completed. There are reports of overnight flooding on the road at Mirror Lakes.

The New Zealand Transport Agency Acting Southern Region Manager Ian Duncan says the approach to the Whitestone River Bridge on SH94 between Lumsden and Te Anau has washed out in the same place as in 2010.

“Protection works were put in place back in 2010 but the river has washed these out with 400mm of rain having fallen in the area during last 48 hours,” he says.

SH94 from Mossburn to Te Anau was closed overnight with the Princhester River running high but is open this morning under traffic control.

Motorists are also warned of surface flooding on State Highway 1 at Gore and Lowburn. There is also surface flooding at Colac Bay.

SH6 near Makarora closed at 5pm last night with a road washout at Sawmill Creek. Two further washouts have occurred overnight in the area at Pipson Creek and Boggy Creek. Work is already underway to clear debris and repair the road.

A further update on all roads is expected early afternoon.

Mr Duncan advises motorists planning to head to the West Coast that there could be delays and to check the NZTA website - www.nzta.govt.nz - before heading off.

ENDS

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