NZTA will reopen the Porter’s Pass/ Arthur’s Pass route between Canterbury and the West Coast tonight at 8 pm. 

SH73 between Springfield and the Porter River Bridge has been closed since the weekend’s massive downpours damaged bridges and dumped scree over the highway.

NZTA Maintenance Contract Manager Barry Stratto said crews from both the West Coast and Canterbury have worked “above and beyond to rebuild the Porter River Bridge’s east and west approaches in particular, in fairly chilly conditions since Sunday.”

Three bridge approaches – Kowai 1 and 2 and the Porter River Bridge have had to be reconstructed and repaired. “We are still working on a hairpin bend on Porter’s Pass where the road washed out. Crews have also cleared more than 100 metres of deep scree and shingle.”

 There will be traffic management people on this highway night and day for some time.