The Akaroa highway between Birdlings Flat and Little River (State Highway 75) reopened to all traffic at 1.30PM today after being closed due to flooding.

The road was shut late Wednesday night when torrential rain caused Lake Forsyth to overflow onto the highway.

NZ Transport Agency System Manager for the Central South Island Mark Pinner said hazards like slips and surface flooding have been cleared, but urged drivers to take extra care.

“Hazards like flooding at the side of the highway and slips will be sign-posted, with work done to clear these this morning, but please drive with extra caution this weekend and into next week,” Pinner said.

Crews worked throughout the morning to remove fallen trees and debris and put up warning signs.

“Over the next few weeks, the clean-up will be underway, including repairing any surfacing issues as a result of the extended inundation,” he said. “Thanks to all drivers for taking a bit more care in coming days as our crews get the highway restored for winter.”

Elsewhere in Canterbury, stop/go traffic control remains in place south of Kaikōura on SH1 where coastal erosion has caused a road dropout.

Stop/go may also be required around Tinwald in Mid Canterbury as crews work to repair potholes on SH1.