Road closed

We woke in the night to thunder and lightning, and heavy rain.  It was still raining heavy at breakfast.  The Lewis Pass, the main state highway connecting Picton to Christchurch, was closed due to snow.

When I drove to work, there were trucks lined up in every street in the town.  No one was going anywhere with the road closed, so everyone was sitting, waiting....and waiting.  

The Pass was opened at 10.40am, and it was interesting watching truck after truck passing the school.  With heavy snow falling most of the day on the Pass, the road contractors could not keep up with keeping the road clear, and with the threat of the heavy snow breaking trees and these trees falling onto the road, they closed the road again at 1.45pm.  It never opened again today, and is closed for the night.  

Leaving work at 5pm, the trucks were starting to line the streets again.  It was raining and cold, so I hope that the drivers managed to get accommodation and a meal for the night.

This photo was taken this morning on the main road.