The first convoys including visitor buses into Milford Sound Piopiotahi since the torrential rain of just over a fortnight ago went smoothly last wee in misty conditions, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Milford Road alliance manager Kevin Thompson.
Despite some heavy rain earlier in the morning, common in Fiordland all year round, all three convoys (10am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm) set off as planned on Friday, February 21.
In the first convoy there were 52 vehicles in total going in, essential services vehicles for Milford Sound businesses and 40 buses.
In the second convoy in at 12.30pm, 31 vehicles total went in.
The third and last convoy today which went in at 2.30 pm had six vehicles, including three buses.
The Transport Agency’s Milford Road Alliance crews are working hard to maintain the highway surface for the buses and essential services vehicles and will only cancel a convoy if the weather or a fresh slip rules it out on safety grounds, says Kevin.
There remains no access for private vehicles, self-driving people in camper vans, cars or people towing boats or caravans, but people are encouraged to catch the bus from Te Anau to appreciate this astonishing rainforest highway through the Homer Tunnel and into Fiordland.
