A slip has closed the main highway on the South Island's West Coast, north of the Fox River bridge, near White Horse creek.
Photo: Supplied / NZTA
The Transport Agency said the slip came down before midnight and State Highway 6 is shut but the inland routes via Reefton and Inangahua on SH7 and SH69 remain open.
Contractors will be onsite this morning and drivers are being asked to avoid the area as there are no detours available.
NZTA said contractors were working to clear the slip in order to get one lane open.
Buller District Mayor Jamie Cleine said there was a lot of rain yesterday and overnight.
"It just creates that little bit of uncertainty I guess for people, but knowing that area I'm reasonably confident that the contractors would get that cleared up."
He said such slips were not uncommon in the area.
UPDATE 9AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) December 23, 2020
Contractors have confirmed the SH6 slip is north of the Fox River bridge, near White Horse creek. The state highway remains CLOSED, and we are now expecting an update by 2pm. Please continue to detour via SH7 Reefton. ^AL pic.twitter.com/wTagrq0hpN
SH6 FOX RIVER, WEST COAST - SLIP - 6AM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) December 23, 2020
Due to a slip, the Fox River Bridge has been CLOSED since 11:30pm last night. Contractors will be on site to assess the slip before midday. Please AVOID the area if possible, as there is no detour available. ^AL pic.twitter.com/aS2KF8bXe1
