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Milford Road to remain closed for several days
Milford Road to remain closed for several days following
massive landslide - NZTA
The NZTA is advising that the Milford Road will remain closed for several days following a major landslide which came down on the road overnight, with rocks as large as 200 tonnes amongst debris covering at least 200m of the road.
The NZTA closed the road at 4pm yesterday to protect the safety of travellers due to extreme weather and the risk of avalanche activity.
The slip occurred through the closed section of road - about 2km on the Milford side of Falls creek. It is a location known as 'Red Slip', which was last active about 25-30 years ago.
Geotechnical experts are now on site carrying out aerial inspections to assess safety risks before workers can begin clearing debris. Contractors with large rock breaking equipment and a 30-40 tonne excavator are on standby, ready to bring in equipment from Christchurch, pending the outcome of the geotechnicalal assessment.
NZTA's Southland Area Manager Peter Robinson said the slip would result in several days of closure on the road.
"The length of the closure will depend on how long it take to break up the large rocks apart and remove them.Some of the large boulders are estimated to be in the vicinity of 200 tonnes and it appears that the seal under the rocks has been damaged. The road will be re-opened as soon as the debris can be cleared and the NZTA can be confident that the road is safe for travellers to use."
Mr Robinson said that as the road was closed at 4pm yesterday, most visitors had left Milford. An overnight Real Journeys cruise docked this morning, and the company is likely to fly these visitors out. Staff and visitors remaining in Milford will be kept informed of timing as our assessments of the situation continue.
Mr Robinson thanked people for their patience, and said a further update would be provided on Sunday morning.
For further information on weather conditions and other road closures in the area, updated every two minutes, visit www.highwayinfo.govt.nz
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