7pm UPDATE: Overnight closure for SH7

Due to a falling rock this afternoon, State Highway 7 between Hanmer Springs and Springs Junction will be closed overnight.

The rockfall happened at the slip site referred to below near Lewis Pass, just south of Roirdan Creek Bridge.

The highway is due to reopen tomorrow at 7am, to the single lane that had been operating, if assessed as safe.

2pm: Delays possible as work underway to fully reopen slip site on SH7

Work will be underway next week to address the risk of further debris falling onto State Highway 7 at a site reduced to one lane of traffic after a slip.

The slip occurred last month just south of the Roirdan Creek Bridge, near Lewis Pass. It resulted in a temporary closure of SH7 between Springs Junction and Island Hills, but since then the road has been open to one lane only with traffic management.

Geotechnical investigations have been carried out on the risk of further slips at the site, and next week crews are due to move in to begin clearing the remaining slip hazard – including rock scaling, removal of vegetation and adjustment of the bunding at the site.

Traffic will continue through one lane at the site with stop/go lights in place. Motorists travelling through the site should be prepared for delays of up to 20 minutes where temporary road closures are required as the crews drop material.

Once this work is done, an overnight closure may be required initially to ensure rockfall has stopped and/or been caught by the bund. The site will reopen to two lanes of traffic when it is possible to do so safely.

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