State Highway 6 through the Lower Buller Gorge between Inangahua Junction and Westport has reopened this afternoon as planned after slips caused by heavy rain.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) crews have made good progress in clearing multiple slips and blocked culverts, and have redirected water from the road back into waterways, following the road closure earlier this week.

While the road is now safe to travel, significant work remains for the crews in clearing further debris from rivers, culverts and drains.

Traffic management will remain in place at a number of sites throughout the Lower Buller Gorge, and motorists are urged to take care with further rain expected in the coming days. Those travelling between Inangahua Junction and Westport should allow up to an hour of additional travel time for their journeys.

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