Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Crown Range Road to remain closed for a second night

The Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wanaka will remain closed overnight tonight (Thursday, 22 February) and into tomorrow morning due to the continuing danger posed by a boulder on the Queenstown side made unstable by yesterday’s heavy rain.

Residents of Crown Terrace still have access as far as Eastbourne Road. Residents of Cardrona and visitors still have access from Wanaka as far as Cardrona township.

Anyone wishing to travel between Queenstown and Wanaka should take State Highway 6 via Cromwell and allow more time for their journey due to ongoing roadworks in the Kawarau Gorge.

Andrew Edgar, Senior Engineer – Property and Infrastructure at Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), said a helicopter sluicing operation today did not move the rock but did confirm its potential danger.

“This boulder is sitting on a ‘house of cards’. Not only does it look like it could move at any time but it’s also highly likely to come down if any of the rocks below it move. Given its size, shape and the angle it’s perched on it could easily roll down onto the road with enough force to crush a car,” said Mr Edgar.

“To finish the job and make the road safe, we have arranged for a rock explosive expert and rope access professional to set charges tomorrow morning that will dislodge the boulder and break it up.”

Once the rock is moved, debris will be removed from the road allowing it to be reopened.

Council contractors closed the road yesterday afternoon at the junction of Crown Range Road and State Highway 6 near Arrowtown (the bottom of the switchbacks leading up to Crown Terrace), and also at Cardrona township south of Wanaka.

An update is expected around midday tomorrow (Friday, 23 February) with a possible reopening time. Further updates will be posted on the QLDC website and Facebook page.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.