UPDATE: 17 February, 3.45pm – SH75 to remain closed overnight:

State Highway 75/Christchurch Akaroa Road, between Gebbies Pass and Akaroa, will remain closed overnight because of flooding and slips.

Floodwaters have not receded enough to allow safe travel on the road from Christchurch to Banks Peninsula, and with a State of Emergency in place and the risk of further rain today, it is considered the best option to revisit the situation in daylight in the morning.

People are urged to avoid flooded areas and to respect road closures in place.

An update on the status of SH75 will be provided tomorrow morning.

17 February, 2.30pm – Closure point change as SH75 remains shut:

The northern closure point for State Highway 75 has been adjusted, but most of Christchurch Akaroa Road remains shut off as flooding and slips continue to be an issue.

The closure has shifted to be from Gebbies Valley to Akaroa on SH75, instead of from Tai Tapu to Akaroa.

Work continues to clear slips and while there is some indication of water levels dropping, there is potential for more rain this afternoon, and it is not yet safe to reopen the road connecting Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

A further update will be provided later today on the prospect of the highway reopening.

17 February, 8am – SH75 remains closed due to flooding:

State Highway 75/Christchurch Akaroa Road, between Tai Tapu and Akaroa, remains closed this morning because of flooding and slips.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is working with emergency services to enable their access through the closure to assist those in the worst affected areas on Banks Peninsula, such as Little River township. Contractors for NZTA will be working this morning to clear a slip near Lake Forsyth/Wairewa, which remains at a high level.

People should be prepared for the highway to remain closed for much of the day, and are asked to stay clear of the area or to delay travel. MetService’s orange heavy rain warning for Banks Peninsula, through until 6pm tonight, remains in place.

A further update will be provided as the situation changes.

16 February, 11pm – SH75 closed by flooding:

State Highway 75/Christchurch Akaroa Road, between Tai Tapu and Akaroa, is closed tonight because of flooding.

The highway connects Christchurch with Banks Peninsula, which has seen heavy rain today. MetService has an orange heavy rain warning in place for the peninsula until 6pm tomorrow, and authorities have been monitoring local lake levels.

People should avoid the area or delay their travel.

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