Kaikoura's Inland Rd may reopen tomorrow

The New Zealand Army convoy makes its way through earthquake-ravaged countryside on the Inland Road to Kaikoura today. Photo / Kurt Bayer

Canterbury Civil Defence hopes to reopen one lane of the Inland Rd into Kaikoura tomorrow afternoon.

The route will reconnect the town to State Highway 7 and the rest of the region.

The contractor working to clear the road, Downer, told 1 News it was still finalising the logistics of how Inland Rd will operate.

Camper vans, towing and heavy vehicles will be barred from using the route, Downer said.

The main road into and out of Kaikoura, State Highway 1, was blocked by slips caused by the November 14 earthquake.

Inland Rd, also known as the Kaikoura Emergency Access road or Route 70, was also blocked by landslides.

It was reopened on two days after the quake but was closed again on November 22 because of the risk of further slips occurring after a particularly strong aftershock jolted Canterbury.

About 100 vehicles have pre-registered to use the road when it opens, Civil Defence told 1 News.