18 February, 1.50pm – SH75 reopened but care needed

State Highway 75/Christchurch Akaroa Road has reopened after clearing of flooding and slips, but road users will need to take care.

People may encounter some minor traffic management/temporary restrictions on the route between Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, such as reductions to a single lane in places to accommodate work crews.

We appreciate peoples’ patience while the work was underway to reopen the road, and we ask that people are considerate of residents and those continuing to work on the recovery on the peninsula.

18 February, 9.55am – SH75 closure reduced

The closure of State Highway 75/Christchurch Akaroa Road has been reduced as progress is made towards reopening.

The stretch of SH75 now closed is from Birdlings Flat/Jones Road through to Barrys Bay, compared to the previous closure of Gebbies Valley to Akaroa.

Clearing of slips and checking of culverts and roads after flooding continues. A further update is expected around midday.  

18 February, 9am – Work continues to reopen SH75

State Highway 75/Christchurch Akaroa Road, between Gebbies Valley and Akaroa, remains closed this morning but contractors are making progress towards reopening.

Floodwaters are receding on the highway after Lake Forsyth/Te Roto o Wairewa was opened to the sea yesterday, and the heavy rain warning for Banks Peninsula has been lifted by MetService. The contractors for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi are working their way across the closed stretch of highway, clearing the remaining slips, checking culverts, and looking for any signs of damage to the road left by the floodwaters.

An update on the status of SH75 can be expected around midday today.

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.

An update on the road closure is due by 7am tomorrow. Stay up to date at our Journey Planner site.