Photo / Phil HooperAn alternative route around Ashburton has been cleared this evening after roads were closed by flooding in recent days. This evening it said it "we have established an alternate route detouring around the closed Ashburton Bridge". Image: Ashburton District CouncilTransitioning through the district use the Inland Scenic Route 72 and follow signsTo travel north or south from Tinwald use the Tinwald Westerfield Mayfield Road to connect to the Inland Scenic Route 72To travel north or south from Ashburton (north of the Ashburton River), use State Highway 77 to Methven and then connect with the Inland Scenic Route 72For residents needing to cross the bridge (Ashburton - Tinwald or Tinwald - Ashburton), the alternate route is State Highway 77, Inland Scenic Route 72 and Tinwald Westerfield Mayfield Road (or vice versa). Flood protection stopbanks kept Ashburton town dry, but the amount of water in the Ashburton River has compromised the bridge. Contractors were also working on restoring Thompsons Track, which will form part of an alternative inland route while the Ashburton bridge was being repaired.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 01, 2021 03:33 UTC