However, it might still be 10 days before the busy West Coast State Highway6 tourist route north from Otago is ready for through-traffic.
The highway is open as far north as Fox Glacier - down to a single-lane in places - but the highway north of Fox is closed because of the washed out bridge.
Kiwi Experience bus driver Jacob Schonberger, of Dunedin, was there when it was swept away late on Tuesday afternoon.
''We could see the embankment was washing away.
''About 45 minutes later, a little span fell down, followed by a big span, then a third.''
Westland Mayor Bruce Smith was standing on the bridge about 2pm on Tuesday and said it was shuddering as rocks ''the size of a small car'' hit the piers.
Westland Civil Defence controller Simon Bastion said work would begin immediately to replace the bridge, and by yesterday afternoon heavy machinery was at work on the approaches.
The bridge was intended to be temporary when it was put in place 30 years ago.
Parts of Westland had up to 800mm of rain in the 24 hours to yesterday morning, and it had been ''horrendous and scary'', Mr Bastion said.
West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor, who flew over the affected area yesterday with Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi, said rivers were dropping quickly.
One of the biggest problems was damage to the access road for people wanting to view the Franz Josef glacier, although sightseeing flights were still operating.
Glacier Country promotions head Ashley Cassin said the damage was ''devastating'' at a time when Franz Josef was normally very busy.
''We are pretty lucky we have access to the north after such a significant event.''
Mr Cassin said people could help by continuing to visit the town.
About 450 tourists were allowed to travel north yesterday after being kept in Franz Josef overnight.
Westland deputy mayor Helen Lash told RNZ residents were devastated by the loss of the tourist link south of Franz Josef but contractors knew the roads were the bloodline to the region.
Given the importance of road access, contractors would be determined to get them open as quickly as possible.
Chorus spokesman Nathan Beaumont said Fox Glacier was isolated digitally because the fibre cable was washed away with the Waiho bridge and other damage occurred at Whataroa.
A temporary cable would be installed across the river as soon as possible.
Senior Sergeant Peter Payn said a woman's body was recovered near floodwaters in the Arahura Valley, north of Hokitika, about 9.19am yesterday.
It appeared Gloria Reardon-Hirst (66), of Arahura Valley, was swept away after she got out of her vehicle when it became stranded in floodwater.
Westland schools were closed yesterday, while milk collection from dairy farms was causing concern.
There were power disruptions at Haast and inland from Hokitika. Transpower was working to repair the damage.
Residents and tourists are able to phone 0800 474-834 for welfare assistance.
-Additionally reported by RNZ
