Last quake-closed highway partially re-opened

File photo / Greg Bowker

The last remaining Canterbury highway closed by last Saturday's earthquake has been partially re-opened.

State Highway 74, a key route into the Port of Lyttelton, had been closed for six days while road foundations damaged by the quake have been repaired.

New Zealand Transport Authority Canterbury State Highways Operations Manager Peter Connors said SH74 in Christchurch city was now open from Travis/Frost/Anzac Drive to the intersection of Dyers Road/Bridge Street.

SH74 remains closed from the intersection of Dyers Road/Bridge Street to Metro Place remained closed and a detour was in place.

The SH74 Heathcote underpass also remains closed due to potential rockfall hazards above the road.

Motorists using the Lyttelton Tunnel have been told to expect delays as the tunnel is closed periodically to allow fuel and gas trucks to travel safely to and from the port.

Delays of up to 10 minutes could be expected during the closures, Mr Conners said.

Vehicles carrying dangerous goods were normally prohibited from using the tunnel, but earthquake damage had forced the closure of the Evans Pass Road, the normal access route for fuel and gas trucks to and from the port, he said.

Other state highways in the region affected by earthquake damage include:

* Chaneys on-ramp on SH1. Repairs are progressing well and it is anticipated that the on-ramp will be opened to traffic on Saturday night on an unsealed surface; and

* State Highway 77 in mid-Canterbury is open with a 2km signposted detour from Glentunnel to Glenroy, where there is substantial subsidence in the road. The slip is still moving and this detour will remain in place for some time with permanent repairs to commence early next week.

- NZPA