The main road into Martinborough has reopened, reconnecting the Wairarapa town with the rest of the country.

State Highway 53 was closed by flooding yesterday at the Waihenga River Bridge near Martinborough, and detour options were also closed stranding people in the town.

The highway reopened around 2.15pm today, although the NZ Transport Agency was urging motorists to be careful and said contractors would continue to monitor the road. Some other roads to the town had also reopened.

For most of the country today’s weather is expected to be relatively benign, but a wintry sting returns tomorrow with gales and snow.

State Highway 56 remained closed at Opiki, near Palmerston North, early this afternoon.

The NZTA was also urging drivers to be cautious on the Desert Road, which reopened after being closed due to snow.

In the South Island NZTA continued to warn motorists to take extra care on SH8 between Twizel and Fairlie because of ice and grit on the road.

Horizons Regional Council said the worst of the wet weather in its area had passed, but flood gates at Moutoa would remain open until about 2pm today to relieve flood flows in the lower Manawatu River.
 

– Read more on this story here via Stuff

– Fairfax