Photo: ODT filesTraffic from the Interislander ferry is now pouring through Murchison, and over both the Lewis and Arthur's alpine passes, with trucks rumbling through day and night. The Greymouth Star reported that police had stepped up patrols through the area due to a ``massive increase'' in traffic, and at Murchison, Mick Hopkinson said they were now getting all the ferry traffic. All ferry traffic - trucks, tourists and domestic traffic - is now being redirected down the Wairau Valley to Murchison, through State highway 65 to Springs Junction and over the Lewis Pass to Canterbury. With some restrictions on the Lewis Pass, Arthur's Pass has also been busier than usual. With the Lewis Pass route carrying higher volumes of traffic, people should allow an additional 90 minutes to two hours for the journey between Christchurch and Picton on the Lewis Pass route.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 17, 2016 02:59 UTC