ROAD CLOSURES - UPDATED 8.23pm:

Whanganui district road closures

State Highway 3 North (one lane only)

Peat Street

London Street (near the substation)

Kakatea Valley Road

Matarawa Valley Road

SH 4 Raetihi to Wanganui

SH 3 Bulls to Wanganui

Whanganui River Road

Parihauhau Road

Turoa Road

Tanguru Street

Rangitatau Road East

Kaimatira Road

Waikupu Road

Tokomaru West Road

Kauarapaoa Road

Matarawa Street

Raine Street

Ngatarua Road

Longacre Road

Kaikokopu Road

Mangamahu Road

Hackett Street

Lucknow Street

Georgetti Road

Ikitara Road (Anzac Parade to Turoa Road)

No 3 Line (Wakefield Street to Kaimatira Road)

Denlair Road

Mangawhero Road

Te Rimu Road

Watershed Road

Waireka Road

Ahu Ahu Valley Road

Tokomaru West Road

Tokomaru East Road

Thompsons Road

Roberts Avenue

Taupo Quay (Bates Street to St Hill Street)

Gilberd Street

Kaitoke Road

Concord Line

Anzac Parade Walkway

All walkways in Wanganui East

Message from NZ Transport Agency

SH3 between Bulls and Whanganui is now open. This means southern access to and from Whanganui has been restored. The Whangaehu River Bridge has been reopened and is operating under Stop-Go control and speed restrictions. Please take extreme care and avoid nonessential travel.

This means southern access to and from Whanganui has been restored. The Whangaehu River Bridge has been reopened and is operating under Stop-Go control and speed restrictions. Please take extreme care and avoid nonessential travel. SH1 has been reopened at Calico Line near Marton. This means SH1 is now fully open, although speed restrictions apply at this location and at Waikawa River Bridge. Motorists must observe speed restrictions and take care.

This means SH1 is now fully open, although speed restrictions apply at this location and at Waikawa River Bridge. Motorists must observe speed restrictions and take care. SH3 between Whanganui and News Plymouth has reopened, which means people can now travel to and from Whanganui via the north. However, we advise against non-essential travel as the condition of the road is poor.

Keep your speeds down and your eyes peeled. Just because a highway is open doesn't mean it is clear sailing. Debris, slips, surface flooding, one-lane restrictions and potholes are widespread, and it is essential people put safety first, drop their speeds and expect the unexpected. It is also essential to drop speeds to keep contractors safe while they are working on the roads. We recognise that many people are anxious to return home to loved ones, but if you must travel, allow plenty of extra time for your journey.

Just because a highway is open doesn't mean it is clear sailing. Debris, slips, surface flooding, one-lane restrictions and potholes are widespread, and it is essential people put safety first, drop their speeds and expect the unexpected. It is also essential to drop speeds to keep contractors safe while they are working on the roads. We recognise that many people are anxious to return home to loved ones, but if you must travel, allow plenty of extra time for your journey. Crews are continuing to target the Manawatu Gorge. While there are no major slips, there are a number of smaller slips that require clearing and geotechnical assessments are required to ensure the stability and safety of the affected slopes. It is likely to be closed for a few days, with a further update expected tomorrow. Saddle Road remains open under stop-go control, and efforts are underway to restore access to heavy vehicles. Allow extra time for your journeys. Pahiatua Track is closed.

We are working to reopen SH3 between Bulls and Whanganui as soon as possible.

We continue to monitor weather forecasts, as a cold blast is on its way and we are committed to ensuring as many route options are available in the event of snow-related closures. We will in particular be monitoring the Central Plateau and Rimutakas.

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