Category: Transport

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says SH6 between Haast and Knights Point will remain closed until the end of this week at least while contractors work to clear rockfall debris and assess the stability of the road.

“We are working urgently to assess the stability of the rockfall site above the road at the northern end, as well as investigating cracking in the road at the southern end,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA in the Central Region of the South Island.

Mr Pinner says a top priority is ensuring the safety of contractors – this is still an unstable site, with further rockfall activity occurring overnight on Sunday.

A rock scaling crew is now on site and will begin removing rocks and debris above the road at the northern site today. This work may take up to three days to complete safely, given the instability of the site.

“We understand that this is an essential lifeline and tourist highway for the wider West Coast, Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago Districts and we are working urgently to re-establish the link around Knights Point as soon as it is safe for the public to use,” Mr Pinner says.

Summary

SH6 Epitaph Slip/Knights Point: Closure from Moeraki/Knights Point to Ship Creek/Haast – earliest possible reopening likely to be the end of this week, initially likely to be single-lane for passenger vehicles only, limited to daytime travel, weather-dependent.

There is no detour route for SH6 at Knights Point. People wanting to get to Greymouth or Hokitika will need to come via Arthur’s Pass or the Lewis Pass from the east coast for the time being, or delay their journeys.

SH6 Fox Glacier township to Moeraki: Closed currently, slip clearance is progressing well. Full public access expected late Monday.

Updates on the West Coast page of NZTA’s traffic and travel updates(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The end of construction is in sight for new roundabouts being built on State Highway 6 near the Blenheim Airport.

The project is delivering improvements to the highway between Woodbourne and Springlands, with work ongoing since the beginning of this year.

One roundabout has already been completed, Saint Leonards Road and Bells Road, and a second one is under construction at the intersection of Tancred Crescent and State Highway 6.

Jetesh Bhula, Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, says the project is about to step up another gear, with sealing work planned  for late this month and early December.

“Both roundabouts need to be sealed. With an ultra-fine seal that is best for skid resistance at the roundabouts. We are in the final stages of this project, and the result will be safer intersections. One that allows drivers better access onto and across State Highway 6.”

“However, this work will require some extra road closures, and road users, residents, and businesses must know what’s happening and when. This is why we want to inform people what’s planned well in advance,” Mr Bhula says.

There will be a road closure on SH6 at St Leonard and Bells Road roundabout for sealing work during the day and night. For the Marlborough Airport roundabout, this will be completed during the evening with SH6 remaining closed in one direction along with Tancred Crescent being closed.

Mr Bhula says the Bells/ St Leonard Roads roundabout will be done first, from 29 November to 1 December during the day and night. Contractors are aiming to complete sealing works on the State Highway/Tancred Crescent from 3 to 4 December during the night to avoid interfering with travellers getting into and out of the airport.

“We understand the significant impact the sealing works and road closure will have. That’s why we are doing it during a weekend when there is less traffic on the road.  We will also ensure residents retain access to properties around the St Leonards/Bells Road roundabout.”

“Local road detours will be available, and we ask drivers to use the routes recommended. They are carefully chosen and are the best and safest options. Please use them,” Mr Bhula says.

The detours will mean extra travel time. Drivers must factor this into their journeys. Access will also be maintained through the work areas for emergency services.

Residents close to the work site will experience noise, lights, and vibration while the work is being undertaken. NZTA/Waka Kotahi apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

Works schedule and detour routes

SH6 – Bells and St Leonards Roads Roundabout – day and night road closure:

• 10 pm Friday, 29 November to midnight Sunday, 1 December
• SH6 CLOSED between Jacksons Road and Westwood Avenue
• Detour via Old Renwick Road and Murphys Road. If travelling from Blenheim, detour via Murphys Road, Old Renwick Road, Jacksons Road onto the existing SH6 one-way closure
• Access into the Airport and NZ Defence Force base via Jacksons Road
• All heavy vehicles need to use Hutcheson Street (not Murphys Road)
• People travelling between Nelson and Blenheim are recommended to use SH62 and SH1 and avoid SH6 and Woodbourne.

View larger image [PNG, 398 KB]

SH6 – Tancred Crescent roundabout (outside the Airport) – night works:

• Weekday night works planned for early December (currently scheduled for Tuesday 3 and 4 December, with the following week Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 December contingency)
• Please note dates may change if there is bad weather
• Tancred Crescent (entry into the airport and base) will be CLOSED
• The current set up on SH6 will be in place, which is a one direction lane closure between Jacksons Road and Caldwell Road West. (Eastbound direction is closed)
• Work will take place between 9.00pm and 4.30am, to avoid flight times
• Emergency services including the fire and emergency based at the airport and emergency flights will always be catered for
• People travelling from Nelson/Renwick into Blenheim will need to take a detour. The detour will be via Old Renwick Road and Jacksons Road for light vehicles
• Heavy vehicles will need to take the same route to Anglesea Street, then left onto Boyce Street and onto SH6. Right onto Rapaura Road/SH62, right on Jacksons Road and back onto SH6.

Current detour on SH6/Tancred Cres Roundabout (please note entrance to the airport both the temporary road out of the airport and Tancred Cres will be CLOSED during the night works while sealing work is underway).

View larger image [PNG, 400 KB]

More information

SH6 Middle Renwick Road/Tancred Cres roundabout

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A stretch of State Highway 51 in Awatoto will be closed at the beginning of next month while crews apply a final seal to the road.

This section of state highway will be closed for 10 nights, from Monday 2 December between 8pm and 5am every day.

The road will be closed between Waitangi Road and Ellison Street. Work is expected to be complete by 5am on Wednesday 11 December.  Work will start on the northern end of the road, between Ellison Street and the roundabout before moving further south, between the roundabout and Waitangi Road.

While work is taking place at the northern end, the southern section of that stretch will be open and vice versa.

During the work in the northern section, road users will be detoured onto Te Awa Avenue;  when crews are working in the southern section, southbound road users will be detoured right onto Awatoto Road, right onto Meeanee Road and onto State Highway 2 / Hawke’s Bay Expressway. Northbound road users will be detoured onto Waitangi Road then back onto SH51 at the roundabout.

At all other times, during the day, the road will be open with a temporary speed limit in place.

Speeding over a freshly sealed road can damage the new seal, lifting and flicking stones from the road that can, in turn, damage nearby vehicles or your own. To minimise the risk of damage to both vehicles and the new seal, it is crucial that road users adhere to all temporary speed restrictions in place.

The new roundabout at Awatoto Road and safety improvement project was completed earlier this year. At that time, crews made a commitment to return to the state highway later this year to apply a second and final coat of seal and asphalt.

Revisiting a site to apply a final coat of seal is normal practice for all new roads.

The second seal will further boost the resilience of the new road, the safety and ultimately the efficiency of travel.

Please allow extra time for the detour and plan accordingly. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi would like to thank road users for their patience during the closure.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

People wanting to access Queen Elizabeth Park this Sunday (17 November) can expect delays as road crews resurface the Paekākāriki onramp on State Highway 1.

The work is part of the state highway summer maintenance programme. New chip seal will be laid on the onramp, improving the road’s condition and making it safer for drivers.

Work will be carried out between 7 am and 3 pm.

The Paekākāriki onramp will be closed, and traffic management will be in place at the Whareroa Road intersection at State Highway 59.

Northbound traffic must follow detour signs and use SH59 Paekākāriki Link Road to access State Highway 1.

People visiting Queen Elizabeth Park and the Wellington Tramway Museum can expect minor delays and should allow extra time for their journeys.

As the offramp is near the railway line, work has to be completed on Sunday when train volumes are lower. 

A 50 km/h temporary speed limit will be in place on the onramp for three to five days after the resurfacing works. This is to allow the freshly laid chip to settle properly and protect the road and vehicles from damage. Please obey the posted speed limit.

Works schedule and location

• Sunday, 17 November – 7am to 3pm
• SH1 Paekākāriki northbound onramp CLOSED.
• Northbound traffic can detour via Paekākāriki Link Road
• Traffic Management will be set up from 6am.

More Information

Over the next three years, the Greater Wellington region has $162 million allocated for state highway maintenance and another $116 million ringfenced for state highway pothole prevention – a total investment of $278 million.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Smoother journeys are coming for motorists through Matamata, with works underway in late November and early December to improve the condition of State Highway 27 (SH27) and State Highway 24 (SH24).

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Waikato System Manager, Andy Oakley, says these sections of state highway need attention and full closures allow work to be carried out safely and efficiently.  

“For 3 weeks, between Monday 18 November and Friday 6 December, we will be doing remedial works, including road rebuilds and re-surfacing of the road, which will be undertaken in 3 stages and require SH27 and SH24 to be closed at various times.   

“We want to upgrade this road as quickly as we can and using full closures allows us to do this. We appreciate this will cause some disruption, but it will result in a better roading network for everyone to enjoy.” 

The first 2 stages of work are north and south of the SH27/Peria Road/Broadway roundabout. The detour is via Waharoa Road East or Burwood Road. Stage1 is north of the roundabout and runs from Monday 18 November until Friday 22 November and will see SH27 between the Peria Road roundabout and Ratcliffe Street closed completely 24 hours a day for a road rebuild and resurfacing works.   

In stage 2, road rebuild and resurfacing works continue on the southern side of the roundabout from Sunday 24 November until Friday 6 December. The work will be completed at night between 8pm and 5am and the road closed between SH27 Peria Road roundabout and Elizabeth Street. There will be no night closures on the weekends for work in stage 2. The road will be open during the day, under speed restrictions. 

The third piece of work will see daytime closures on SH27, between Burwood Road and Puketutu Road, for resurfacing work, taking place Monday 18 November and Tuesday 19 November. The road will be closed from 7am until 6pm on both days however, it will reopen under a reduced speed limit overnight, between 6pm and 7am. There will be a detour route available via Hinuera Road.  

“The state highway network plays a critical role in New Zealanders lives, and we want to make sure it is up to the standard people expect. 

“We’d like to thank people for their patience while this important maintenance work is carried out,” says Mr Oakley. 

“The works are weather dependent and if you’re travelling through the area, make sure to plan ahead and check Journey Planner.” 

Journey Planner(external link)

Increased maintenance and resilience are a priority for the government and this work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund. 

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises overnight road resurfacing works will take place on State Highway 12 and State Highway 15 Mangakahia Road in Kaikohe on Monday 18 November.

Work will take place between 9pm and 5am, with stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place for the duration.

This work is part of Northland’s significant summer maintenance programme, which will see approximately 210 lane kilometres of state highway renewed across the region by the end of May.

As well as ensuring a smooth, skid-resistant surface, road resurfacing helps to protect the important structural layers underneath, improves waterproofing to help prevent potholes, and extends the life of the road. It’s like the paint on your house or the varnish on your deck – it looks good, but, more importantly, it helps keep your most valuable assets safe and sound.

There will be increased noise for residents and businesses in the area, and short delays for road users. We encourage road users to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

Access for residents and emergency services will be maintained throughout the works.

Please be patient and treat our crews with kindness and respect. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the traffic management directions at our work sites. 

This work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.

Journey Planner(external link)

For more information about the overall maintenance programme and planned works, visit the Northland State Highway Maintenance Programme website: 

Northland State Highway Maintenance Programme Journey Planner page(external link)

NZTA thanks everyone for their understanding and support while we carry out this essential maintenance.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises night-time road resurfacing works will get underway on State Highway 1 between Mount Pleasant Road and the Whangārei isite Visitor Information Centre at Tarewa Park from next Tuesday (19 November).

Works will take place between 9pm and 5am and are expected to be complete by Monday 9 December. There will stop/go traffic management in place while work is underway and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place for the duration.

This work is part of Northland’s significant summer maintenance programme, which will see approximately 210 lane kilometres of state highway renewed across the region by the end of May.

As well as ensuring a smooth, skid-resistant surface, road resurfacing helps to protect the important structural layers underneath, improves waterproofing to help prevent potholes, and extends the life of the road. It’s like the paint on your house or the varnish on your deck – it looks good, but, more importantly, it helps keep your most valuable assets safe and sound.

We recognised there will be increased noise for residents and businesses in the area, and short delays for road users. We encourage road users to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

Access for residents and emergency services will be maintained throughout the works.

This work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.

Journey Planner(external link)

For more information about the overall maintenance programme and planned works, visit the Northland State Highway Maintenance Programme Journey Planner page: 

Northland State Highway Maintenance Programme(external link)

NZTA thanks everyone for their understanding and support while we carry out this essential maintenance.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says SH6 between Haast and Knights Point is likely to remain closed at least until later this week, towards the end of the week.

“We have completed a preliminary assessment and works will start on Monday, clearing rockfall and monitoring. In the next 48 hours we will know more to confirm the programme for the days ahead,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA in the Central Region of the South Island.

Significant rainfall of more than half a metre over 24 hours caused flooding and slips along the South Westland highway this weekend with cracking in the road surface at the site of a major underslip at Knights Point – the Epitaph Slip.

A remediation and repair programme is being addressed with urgency by NZTA in this area of complex fractured rocks.

“Two significant issues are at play here – the cracking in the road at the southern end of the site and the rockfall above the road at the northern end,” says Mr Pinner. “These are in two different places, but very close together.”

• At the southern end, slope instability related to the Epitaph Slip has resulted in slumping of about 150mm with cracks in the road surface.
• At the northern end a gully above the road has dropped around 200 cubic metres of rock between an old road alignment and the new road, creating a greater rockfall risk above the road.

“A rock scaling crew that had been working nearby will set up on site on Monday, at the same time our contractor will begin removing the rocks at the northern end of the rockfall,” says Mr Pinner. This rock removal is estimated to take up to three days.

Mr Pinner says there has been no change overnight Saturday in the visible road surface cracking at Knights Point, but NZTA will know more in another 48 hours.

“While the rock pile is being removed and the higher up rocks are scaled off the site to the north, we will continue to measure and monitor the cracks in the highway.”

Repairs at road level where the road is damaged by recent movement will be undertaken as soon as it is safe to do so. Drainage repairs will help further stabilise the site, he says.

Road crews have been working hard to clear debris and slip material. A track-level route north of Lake Moeraki was established Sunday afternoon, enabling an escorted convoy of visitors to leave after 1 pm, with Civil Defence help.

• SH6 from Fox Glacier to Lake Moeraki is likely to reopen on Monday to the public.

“We understand that this is an essential lifeline and tourist highway for the wider West Coast, Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago Districts and we are doing our best to re-establish the link around Knights Point as soon as it is safe to do so.

“Once we have more certainty, we hope to have single lane access during daylight hours, extending to full access once monitoring and geotechnical advisors confirm the road is stable. We will advise if our timeline changes due to new information.”

All other roads on the West Coast are open and the wider West Coast – Hokitika, Greymouth and the Buller District is open for business.

Summary

SH6 Fox Glacier township to Moeraki: Closed currently, slip clearance progressing well. Access to allow visitors to leave happening today, escorted convoy. Full public access expected tomorrow/ Monday.

SH6 Epitaph Slip/Knights Point: Closure from Moeraki/Knights Point to Ship Creek/Haast  – likely reopening to single lane, daytimes only to start with, to be advised, unlikely before later this week.

• There is no detour route for SH6 at Knights Point. People wanting to get to Greymouth or Hokitika will need to come via Arthur’s Pass or the Lewis Pass from the east coast for the time being, or delay their journeys.

Updates on the West Coast page of NZTA’s traffic and travel updates(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Widespread flooding, fallen trees and slips have closed SH6 between Haast and Ross on the West Coast this morning. An earlier closure between Makarora in Otago and Haast township has since reopened, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Heavy rain has been pummelling the West Coast including the Grey and Buller districts but forecasts are for the rain easing today.

Additionally, cracks in the highway at Knights Point, the site of the major Epitaph Slip in 2012, north of Haast, require more geotechnical investigation today and tomorrow, says NZTA.

“Our crews will continue to clean up the fallen trees and slips around Bruce Bay, the glacier towns and south of Ross but the Knights Point cracks are of more concern,” says Mark Pinner, System Manager for NZTA in the Central South Island.

“We will have a surveyor on site this afternoon and more geotechnical inspections by chopper Sunday morning to assess the area at Knights Point. SH6 through Knights Point area will remain closed for the weekend with the next update for the route between Fox Glacier and Haast at 10 am Monday.”

There is no detour route for SH6 at Knights Point. People wanting to get to Greymouth or Hokitika will need to come via Arthur’s Pass or the Lewis Pass from the east coast for the time being, or delay their journeys.

• SH6 from Ross south to Fox Glacier is closed with the next update at 3pm Saturday.
• Fox Glacier south to Haast is closed, likely through until Monday morning, with next update due by 10am Monday. 
• The road into Milford Sound Piopiotahi (SH94) reopened at 9 am today.
• The section between Makarora and Haast reopened before 11 am Saturday.
• Updates on the West Coast page of NZTA’s traffic and travel updates(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

State highways in Invercargill’s central city area are about to get a significant re-surfacing this summer, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Dee, Tay and Clyde Streets, on State Highways 1 and 6, will all have freshly asphalted surfaces by the end of the 2024/2025 summer sealing season, says Jacob Manson, Senior Network Manager in Southland for NZTA.

“We fully acknowledge that this work in these heavily trafficked areas will be disruptive.  That is why our crews will be operating overnight, so retail and commercial businesses can function during daytimes.”

Rolling out the asphalt

There is a lot of asphalt needed for this work. Mr Manson estimates 8,500 tonnes, weighing around the same as more than 120 million cheese rolls (at a generous 69 grams per roll).

Some of this work has been put off for some time to allow for the recent significant upgrades, given its impact on the Invercargill central city area, but the road surfaces can’t wait any longer now, he says.

“We’ve waited until Invercargill Central inner-city redevelopment and the Langlands Hotel were built, and Invercargill City Council had completed their stormwater upgrades so we can make sure the new surface won’t be affected by other work.

“We’ve also worked with Fulton Hogan to arrange Dee St footpath repair to coincide with our road resurfacing, reducing the impact to businesses in the area.

“We are also working closely with suppliers of other underground services ahead of our top layer of asphalt being applied. This means that people may see water, wastewater and stormwater pipes going into a trench with temporary cover in place ahead of a final resurfacing a month or so later. 

“It may look like crews are working on the same spot more than one time, but in fact this has been carefully staged to fit everyone in without compromising crews’ safety,” says Mr Manson.

“We want people to continue to shop in the central city area as they normally would over summer,” says Mr Manson. “Building in a little more time to find a car park will help ensure local businesses are affected as little as possible. If there are short detours in place, these will be clearly marked.”

Key points

• NZTA will be working nights, 6pm – 6am (Sunday-Thursday) to reduce the impact on road users and businesses.
• We’ve spoken to affected businesses and adjusted the programme to work through their concerns.
• Work will start at Troopers roundabout, then Tay St, Dee St and finally Clyde St.  Finishing off with the Tweed St roundabout.
• Crews will be starting as early in January as they can – from Sunday, 5 January. The aim is to get the most disruptive work like Troopers roundabout and outside Invercargill
• Central completed when Invercargill is traditionally the quietest in January.
• The team will take a break over the very busy Burt Munro Rally weekend (5-8 February).
• The work is likely to take about two months, finishing late February/early March, but it is weather dependent, so wet days will delay the completion date.

Ahead of this 2025 work programme, Invercargill City Council has its own infrastructure/pipe repairs and replacements to do leading into Christmas and in January:

• Tay St/Kelvin St stormwater work November and December.
• Dee St/Leet St stormwater work November.
• Clyde St/Forth St sewer/wastewater repairs completed by the end of January.
• Clyde St watermain renewal completed by the end of January.
• Esk St/Dee St stormwater work November.