10:45 am

Contractors have successfully cleared debris from the Waihenga River bridge, and with river levels having subsided, the highway is now OPEN to traffic.

However, with weather warnings in place and heavy rain forecast in the Tararua Ranges, there is a possibility the bridge will close again if water levels in the Ruamahanga River rise.

With red-level weather warnings in place for the lower North Island and Wairarapa today, drivers are urged to avoid non-essential travel and stay up to date on road and weather conditions.

• More bad weather ahead for lower North Island and top of the South highways(external link)
• Highway conditions(external link)
• Metservice weather warnings(external link)
• Ruamahanga River at Waihenga Bridge – River flow data(external link)
• Driving in bad weather(external link)

8:15 am

State Highway 53 will remain CLOSED today and tonight at the Waihenga Bridge following the flood closure implemented yesterday

The bridge has been closed due to high water levels in the Ruamahanga River, and debris also needs to be cleared from the bridge’s piers.

Updates will be provided when the bridge’s status changes. The next update is expected tomorrow morning (Friday, 24 October).

With red-level weather warnings in place for the lower North Island and Wairarapa today, drivers are urged to avoid non-essential travel and stay up to date on road and weather conditions.

6:40 am

Rising  water levels in the Ruamahanga River have CLOSED the Waihenga Bridge on State Highway 53 near Martinborough overnight. 

The closure was implemented just before 3:30 am this morning.

For safety reasons, the bridge cannot be used by traffic until water levels fall, and the bridge can be reopened.

Local road detours are available but require extra travel time of 40 to 50 minutes.

Drivers must be prepared for delay when travelling to and from Martinborough while this closure remains in place.

Detour routes:

• Featherston to Martinborough:
  • From SH2, use Western Lake Road, East-West Access Road, Kahutara Road, and Lake Ferry Road.
  • From SH53, use Kahutara Road and Lake Ferry Road.
• Carterton to Martinborough:
  • Use Moreton Road, Kokotau Road, and Ponatahi Road.
• Clareville to Martinborough:
  • Use Francis Line, Gladstone Road, Longbush Road, Hinakura Road, and Todds Road.

Updates will be provided when the highway’s status changes. Drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel:

• Highway conditions(external link)
• Metservice weather warnings(external link)
• Ruamahanga River at Waihenga Bridge – River flow data(external link)