NZTA re-opens SH6 and says thank you to Nelson

NZ Transport Agency has re-opened State Highway 6 Rocks Road and thanked the Nelson community for its support and patience while the NZTA and its contractors worked to repair the highway after last week's storms.

The NZTA re-opened the highway at six o'clock this morning after a final overnight inspection to ensure it was safe to do so.

"We acknowledge that the closure has caused disruption for the community and we are delighted that the highway has re-opened before Christmas and Nelson's busy holiday season," says the NZTA's Operations Manager, Mark Owen. "We had to be sure that the highway was safe for drivers again, and the re-opening is a timely gift for the festive season."

Mr Owen says drivers will still need to take care using the highway, particularly around the Basin Reserve area north of Magazine Point.

"The two lanes of traffic narrow on this section of the highway, and drivers will be sharing space with cyclists," Mr Owen says "Remedial work will still be needed in the New Year, but our priority was the have the highway open now for the people of Nelson."

The NZTA reminds drivers extreme care is also needed on SH60 at Bird's Hill between Takaka and Collingwood. Part of the highway is restricted to one lane, and people will be driving on gravel on some sections until longer term repairs are made.