News: Road reopenings

Update, 15 July 9am

Roads which have reopened after this week’s flooding:

Pahautea Rd OPEN at Kahutara Rd
Pukio West Rd OPEN at Kahutara Rd
Kahutara Rd OPEN at Oporua Spillway

Update, 14 July 2022 9.48am.

Good morning. Waihenga Bridge (SH53) to Martinborough is now open with a 30km/h speed limit in place due to excess water.

Kahutara Rd is closed at the Oporua Spillway, and at Pahautea Rd and Pukio Rd. Access from Martinborough to the north via Ponatahi Rd is open, and Kokotau Road has re-opened overnight, meaning drivers do not have to take the Longbush Rd way.

Caution is urged on Western Lake Rd where there is isolated surface flooding.

Hinekura Road remains closed to all traffic due to a landslide mid-June about 8km in from the Longbush Road junction at the Martinborough end.

Jenkins Dip near Martinborough is still flowing into the Lower Valley Floodway to reduce flooding further downstream.

The slip on Admiral Road has been cleared.

13 July 2022, 5pm

There is little change to the update at midday. After flooding and high river levels yesterday, there are still several roads that are hazardous or closed.

The Waihenga Bridge (SH53) to Martinborough remains closed, as does Kahutara Road, an alternative route to the town. Martinborough is still accessible through Ponatahi Road, but the turnoff via Kokotau Road is closed between Tiffin Road and Millars Road, meaning drivers must go via Millars and Longbush through Gladstone.

We have an alternative routes map on our website under Community/Adverse Weather Events which may help.

  • Pahautea Rd and Pukio West Rd are closed at Kahutara Rd, as well as the Oporua spillway
  • A slip on Admiral Road has been cleared.
  • Jenkins Dip near Martinborough is still flowing into the Lower Valley Floodway to reduce flooding further downstream.
  • Caution is urged on Western Lake Rd but please watch for isolated flooding.
  • East West Access Road but surface water possible

As well as our own website and social media, you can find more travel information on Waka Kotahi’s website (State Highways only) and Carterton District Council’s social media and website (for roads that cross into that district).

The next update will be mid-tomorrow morning, unless we are notified by Waka Kotahi of the Waihenga Bridge opening earlier.

Our diligent roading team have been out since very early, clearing roads and footpaths as fast as they can. Safe driving.

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