NZ Transport Agency
Wellington Regional Office

16 June 2009

UPDATE - State Highway 2 Rimutaka Hill Road now open

State Highway 2’s Rimutaka Hill Road is now open after being closed this afternoon due to snow, but for how long remains unclear.

NZ Transport Agency Highways Manager for Wellington Rob Whight, says the road was opened again after 4pm but a further snowfall after dark could necessitate the road being closed overnight.

“Our contractor has been on the road making every effort to clear the snow and allow people to get across the hill. The road has been closed twice this afternoon but we are doing everything we can to keep the road open as we appreciate there will be people who need to get home from either the Wairarapa or Wellington,” Mr Whight says.

NZTA is continuing to assess the conditions on the hill road, but is warning travellers to make alternative arrangements in case the road is closed again.

“If you can take the train or remain where you are for tonight, we would strongly advise you to do so as there is the risk that if the weather deteriorates again after dark we will have to shut the road. If we do this it is likely the road would remain shut overnight in the interests of people’s safety.”

Mr Whight says he appreciates this may inconvenience some people, but this is the collective advice of both the NZTA and the NZ Police.

NZTA will continue to assess the situation and will provide an update as soon a conditions change.

ENDS

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