UPDATE: 5pm – All restrictions lifted for SH73

State Highway 73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass Village is now fully reopened to all road users, without traffic restrictions, following a truck breakdown that affected travel earlier today.

2.40pm – SH73 reopens with restrictions

State Highway 73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass Village has reopened to most traffic, but restrictions will remain while a broken-down truck remains an issue.

The stretch of highway remains closed to towing vehicles, and all road users are asked to stop on request and take extra care while traffic operates around the stuck vehicle. The truck is in an area that requires heavy machinery to be brought in to move it.

Meanwhile, at Dunsandel, State Highway 1/Main South Road remains down to one lane after a crash this morning. Road users are being asked to stop on demand, and a 30 km/h temporary speed restriction is in place.

Stay up to date at our Journey Planner site.

2pm – SH73 closed near Arthur’s Pass

A truck breakdown has led to the closure of State Highway 73 between Otira and Arthur’s Pass Village.

The truck is stuck in an area that requires heavy machinery to be brought in to move it.

Road users are advised to avoid the area or delay their travel if possible. An update on the situation is expected later in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, State Highway 1/Main South Road at Dunsandel is down to one lane after a crash this morning.

Police said it was notified of the single-vehicle crash, between Browns Road and Frasers Road, around 11.50am where a vehicle had hit a power pole.

Initial indicators were that there are injuries, police said. Road users are again advised to avoid the area where possible and expect delays.

Plan for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook Canterbury & West Coast: facebook.com/nztacwc/
• X NZTA: x.com/nztamain
• X Canterbury & West Coast: x.com/nztacwc
• Instagram: instagram.com/nztransportagency
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@nztransportagency
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

© Scoop Media