Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
People travelling between Nelson and Blenheim can expect to see road works on State Highway 6 into March as investment into the region’s highway infrastructure continues.
These works are critical for ensuring the transport link between Blenheim and Nelson is kept safe and reliable for all road users.
Work will be getting underway at Havelock and near Pelorus from next week.
These works are critical for ensuring the transport link between Blenheim and Nelson is kept safe and reliable for all road users.
SH6 Pelorus works
From Monday 10 February, to Friday 21 March, Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, contractors will rebuild a 1.6-kilometre section of the highway near Pelorus.
They will remove the top layer of the road, lay new gravel, and then apply new chipseal on top. The end result is more stable and improved road surface.
Drainage works will also be completed, and the shoulder of the state highway will be widened. Road users can expect delays of up to 10-minutes during work hours until this work completed.
To ensure the chip-sealing is successful, this work must be done during the day when the weather is warmer.
A 30 km/h temporary speed limit will be in place while the work is underway. All drivers must follow it – it is there to protect the road surface, keep drivers safe, and protect vehicles for stone chip damage.
This work is deliberately planned to minimise disruption for drivers and has been timed to coincide with the State Highway 6 Whangamoa Saddle closure when there will be less traffic on the road.
People travelling between Nelson and Blenheim are also reminded of the upcoming night closures of the Pelorus Bridge on Sunday 23 February.
SH6 Havelock works
From Wednesday 12 February, to Sunday 16 February, between 7pm to 7am, contractors will also carry out nighttime asphalting work on State Highway 6 through the Havelock township. Work will be underway from just north of Neil Street to Allied Petrol. Stop/go traffic management will be in place during work hours with delays of up to 10 minutes.
Drivers are urged to check road conditions before they travel and plan their journeys accordingly. This is especially important for people with Picton ferry connections.
Upcoming SH6 work schedules and locations
SH6 Pelorus – Daytime road rebuilding
- 10 February, to 21 March (no work on weekends), 7am – 6pm.
- Stop/go and 30km/h temporary speed limit.
- Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.
- Reduced temporary speed limit will remain in place outside of work hours.
- Work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions.
SH6 Havelock – Nighttime asphalting
- Wednesday, 12 February, to Sunday, 16 February, 7pm – 7am
- Stop/go and 30km/h temporary speed limit.
- Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.
- Work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions, work will be rescheduled to the next suitable night.
SH6 Whangamoa Saddle – night closures
- 23 February to 13 March. Sunday to Thursday nights, 8pm – 5:30am.
- SH6 CLOSED between Hira and Rai Valley.
- Outside of work hours, the highway will be subject to traffic management and reduced temporary speed limits at work areas.
- There will be one nightly opening of the road at 12:30am to allow vehicles through. Drivers must be at the closure points (at the weighbridge in Hira, and on the Rai Valley straight at Rai Engineering & Mechanical) by 12:30am.
- The alternate route for drivers wanting to travel over night between Blenheim and Nelson during the SH6 Whangamoa Saddle closure is via State Highway 63 and St Arnaud. This a much longer route and adds significantly to travel times.
- Bad weather may see works delayed or extended.
SH6 Pelorus Bridge – works schedule and location
- Sunday 23 February, Bridge CLOSED 8pm – 5:30am with one opening of the road at 12:30 am to allow vehicles to cross the bridge.
- Drivers must be at the closure points at the Pelorus Bridge by 12:30am.
- Drivers travelling from Nelson to Havelock/Blenheim must be at the Hira closure point at 12:30am to be allowed through the Whangamoa Saddle closure and the Pelorus Bridge site.
- Drivers travelling in the opposite direction will need to be at the Pelorus Bridge closure point at 12:30am to be allowed through the Whangamoa Saddle closure.
- Contractors will return to the site to complete maintenance work on SH6 Pelorus Bridge from 3 March to 6 March, 8pm – 5:30am. Expect delays of up to 10 minutes.
- Bad weather may see works delayed or extended.