28/11/2023
The cafe will still be open during these two weeks but from 7.00am to 2.00pm as we already have our usual tour groups that are coming through everyday.
Normal hours for Saturday and Sunday.
SH73 OTIRA TO ARTHURS PASS VILLAGE – RESURFACING - FINAL UPDATE 1:10PM, FRI 15 Dec. 23
Due to favourable conditions, the resurfacing work on SH73 Otira Gorge was completed last night.
Line marking and final tidying up are happening today so traffic management will remain in place. Road users should expect short delays.
You can read further about this update in our media release here: nzta.govt.nz/otira-gorge-sh73-paving-project-completed-in-good-time/
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UPDATE 1:30PM, TUE 12 DEC
Due to unfavourable weather forecasts, works and accompanying road closures on Wednesday 13 and Friday 15 December have been POSTPONED. Works remain planned for Thursday 14 December, and a ROAD CLOSURE will be in place 10am-6pm between Otira and Arthurs Pass Village on Thursday.
One further day of work under closure is now planned for early next week. This post and our Highway Conditions page here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/canterbury/warnings/449602 will be updated when this date is confirmed.
You can read further about this update in our media release here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/otira-update-weather-brings-uncertainty-highway-closed-thursday-for-re-surfacing-and-one-day-next-week/
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UPDATE 1:30PM, FRI 8 DEC
Due to unfavourable weather conditions forecast for next week. The planned closures on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 December are being postponed.
This means that drivers will have 24/7 access to the Otira Gorge from 6pm Friday 8 December through to 10am Wednesday 13 December at the earliest. Traffic management will remain in place over the weekend and until the crews restart next week. Short delays should be expected.
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UPDATE 5:45PM, WED 6 DEC
Due to some urgent repairs needing to be undertaken tonight, the road will be down to one lane with temporary traffic signals in place.
This could result in up to 30-minute delays from 6pm.
You can find out why this needs to happen in the media release here: nzta.govt.nz/otira-gorge-sh73-down-to-single-lane-overnight-tonight/
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UPDATE 3:50PM, THU 30 NOV
Due to unfavourable weather conditions forecast for next week. The planned closure on Monday, 4 December is being postponed and closures between Otira and Arthurs Pass Village will now commence from Tuesday 5 December, 10am-6pm each weekday.
You can read the entire traffic bulletin here: nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/arthurs-pass-route-sh73-monday-westland-anniversary-day-closure-postponed-due-to-poor-weather-forecast
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Plan ahead for ten daytime CLOSURES between Otira and Arthurs Pass Village starting from Monday 4 December, 10am-6pm each weekday.
Road users are requested to detour via SH7 Lewis Pass, Greymouth to Christchurch, 322 km, four hours, 30 minutes in normal traffic.
For Canterbury people aiming to get to the road block at Arthur’s Pass before 10 am each weekday of closure, they need to allow 2.5 hours from Christchurch. (Leave Christchurch by 7.30 am or earlier, depending on weather.)
For people travelling from Greymouth to the road block point at Otira, they need to allow 1.5 hours from Greymouth to make the trip comfortably before 10 am. (Leave Greymouth by 8.30 am or earlier depending on weather).
You can read more about the work on the project page here: nzta.govt.nz/sh73-otira-gorge-maintenance
Thank you for your patience and understanding while these resurfacing works are undertaken. Read our media release here: nzta.govt.nz/arthurs-pass-route-daytime-closures-for-two-weeks-in-december-for-re-surfacing
These works require ideal weather conditions and can be postponed in the event of bad weather, an update will be provided in the comment section.
Haumarutia tō haere - Drive safe. ^AP
