Omoto SH7 entrance to Greymouth staying closed overnight, 4 pm update 3 October
The NZ Transport Agency is keeping SH7 closed at Omoto, between Greymouth and Stillwater, for the rest of today (Thursday 3 October) and overnight. The highway was closed around 7pm last night (Wednesday) after significant movement from an historic slip that activated mid-August after a period of extensive rainfall. It has remained closed all day.
The highway has been reduced to a single lane with traffic management and close monitoring since that time.
The slip east of Greymouth has moved significantly in the past 36 to 48 hours, with around half a metre shifting last night while the highway was closed. It has continued to move today, says the NZTA‘s maintenance contract manager, Moira Whinham.
The situation will be reviewed at 10am on Friday – check this link:
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/270371
The slip east of Greymouth.
The detour for this route is via Taylorville on the north side of the Grey River, which adds a few minutes to the overall journey on SH7, the route to Reefton. Drivers are being detoured at the Stillwater and Cobden bridges.
The NZTA thanks all drivers for their patience while this land movement is underway and for taking care on the Taylorville route.
Omoto highway Thursday afternoon as crews attempt to re-level the surface.