Category: Transport

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

27 October – UPDATE  5:15 pm:
State Highway 6 is now open between Murchison and the State Highway 65 junction at O’Sullivan’s Bridge.

Contractors have cleared the slip which closed the highway yesterday. The road is open to two lanes, but under a 30 km temporary speed limit. Drivers must drive with care through the slip site.

The temporary speed limit will change to 50 km/h on Tuesday at 7:30 am, when work at the road’s shoulder will be carried out at the site.

Buller Gorge closed.

State Highway 6 is now closed between Murchison and Inangahua because of another slip on the highway at the West Coast end of the Buller Gorge.

State Highway 6 will remain closed through the Buller Gorge overnight.

People travelling between Nelson and Westport, must avoid the area or delay their travel until this section of State Highway 6 reopens. Further updates will be provided when the highway’s status changes.

Drivers are urged to check road conditions before they travel.

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27 October – UPDATE 12:25 pm:

State Highway 6 between Kohatu Junction (intersection of SH6 and Motueka Valley Highway) and Kawatiri Junction (intersection of SH6 and SH63) is now open.

The highway remains closed between Murchison and O’Sullivan’s Bridge (the intersection of SH6 and SH65).

People travelling between Christchurch and Nelson must use State Highway 1 via the east coast while this closure remains in place. This adds approximately 30 minutes to travel time.

Road crews are continuing to clear a slip on State Highway 6 near Dellows Bluff. Further updates will be provided when its status changes.

Drivers are urged to check road conditions before they travel and plan their trips accordingly.

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27 October – UPDATE 10:10 am:

Closure points have been changed on State Highway 6 between Kohatu and the State Highway 65 junction.

State Highway 6 is now open between Murchison and Kawitiri – this means traffic can access Murchison via State Highway 63 and Saint Arnaud.

The highway remains closed between Kohatu and Kawatiri, and between Murchison and the State Highway 65 junction.

Road crews are working to clear slips and flood damage and reopen the road. Further updates will be provided as this work progresses.

State Highway 63 has also reopened in Renwick between the intersections of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street. The road was closed overnight due to flooding.

While the weather is improving and roads are reopening, road users must drive to the conditions and can expect road hazards. Please allow extra time for your journeys and check road conditions before you travel.

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27 October – UPDATE 8:30 am:

State Highway 6 remains closed between Kohatu  and the State Highway 65 junction due to slips this morning. Flooding has also closed the highway between Inangahua and the Lower Buller Gorge on the West Coast.

It means access from Nelson and Blenheim to Westport remains closed.

Contractors are working to clear slips and reopen the highway. Updates will be provided as the situation changes. .

The following state highways remain closed across the South Island:

• SH63 Renwick, between the intersections of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street – flooding (local road detours available)
• SH6 Kohatu to SH65 junction – slips
• SH6 Inangahua to Lower Buller Gorge – flooding
• SH7 Kaiata to Stillwater  – flooding
• SH6 Haast to Makarora – Snow

While bad weather has eased and weather warnings have been lifted, hazardous driving conditions still remain on state highways and local roads across the South Island. Drivers must take  extra care on the roads, particularly in areas that have been badly affected by yesterday’s weather.

Please drive to the conditions and obey all traffic management in place where road works and repairs are underway. Road users should allow extra time for their journeys and check road conditions before they travel.

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26 October – UPDATE 10:30 pm:

Due to multiple slips, State Highway 6 is now closed between Kohatu and Murchison.

This closure is in addition to the slip that closed State Highway 6 north of the State Highway 65 intersection this afternoon.

It means there is no access to the West Coast from Nelson and the inland route from Nelson to Christchurch is also unavailable.

Road users are advised to avoid the area or delay their journey if possible.

Other South Island State Highway closures:

• SH63 Renwick, between the intersection of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street – flooding
• SH6 Inangahua, between the intersection of State Highway 69 and Brown Creek Road – flooding
• SH73 Otira to Arthurs Pass Village – Snow
• SH73 Springfield to Arthurs Pass (Porters Pass) – Snow
• SH6 Haast to Makarora – snow
• SH94 Te Anau to Milford – snow

With bad weather continuing to affect highways across the South Island drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel, to be prepared for hazards, and to drive to the conditions.

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26 October – UPDATE 9 pm:

State Highway 6 is now open between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock.

The highway had been closed since approximately three o’clock this afternoon due to flooding.

State Highway closures remain in place at the following locations:

• SH63 Renwick, between the intersection of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street – Flooding (local road detours available)
• SH6 Murchison, north of State Highway 65 intersection – Slip (highway will remain closed overnight)

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26 October – UPDATE 8 pm:

State Highway 60 Tākaka is now open between Pupu Valley Road and Waitapu Wharf Road – a 30 km/h temporary speed limit is in place. The route was closed earlier today due to flooding.

State Highway closures remain in place at the following locations:

• SH6 Pelorus,  between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock – Flooding
• SH63 Renwick, between the intersection of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street – Flooding
• SH6 Murchison, north of State Highway 65 intersection – Slip (will remain closed overnight)

People  travelling  in the South Island must check road and weather conditions before they travel, be prepared for hazardous driving conditions, and avoid areas subject to closures.

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26 October – UPDATE 6:25 pm:

State Highway 6 between Murchison and O’Sullivan’s Bridge (the intersection of SH6 and SH65) – will remain closed overnight.

This section of the highway was closed around 2:30 this afternoon due to a slip and rockfall. An update on its status will be provided tomorrow morning.

Road closures remain in place at:

• SH60 Tākaka, between Pupu Valley Road and Waitapu Wharf Road – Flooding
• SH6 Pelorus,  between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock – Flooding
• SH63 Renwick, between the intersection of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street – Flooding

Updates on their status will be provided as the situation changes.

Flooding is also affecting State Highway 6, Kaituna to Okaramio. This route is under stop/go traffic management and a 50 km/h temporary speed limit.

Drivers using State Highway 63 through the Wairau Valley also need to be alert for localised flooding near the Kowhai Point Camping Area and the intersection of Saltwater Lane.

Bad weather is also affecting highways on the West Coast, Canterbury, and Otago and Southland. People  travelling  in the South Island must check road and weather conditions before they travel and avoid areas subject to closures.

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26 October – UPDATE 5:20 pm:

Flooding has also closed a section of State Highway 60 near Tākaka

The highway is now closed between Pupu Valley Road and Waitapu Wharf.

Drivers must delay their travel and avoid the area.

The following state highway road closures are in place in the top of the South Island:

• SH60 Tākaka, between Pupu Valley Road and Waitapu Wharf Road – Flooding
• SH6 Pelorus,  between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock – Flooding
• SH6, Murchison, north of State Highway 65 intersection – Slip
• SH63 Renwick, between the intersection of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street – Flooding

Bad weather has also closed state highways on the West Coast, Canterbury, and Mackenzie Basin.

Drivers must check road and weather conditions before they travel and ensure they take extra care on local roads and highways. Please avoid flooded areas and known road closure points.

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26 October – UPDATE 4:30 pm:

Bad weather continues to affect state highways in the top of the South Island.

State Highway 63 is now closed due to flooding in Renwick, between the intersection of Brydon Street and Anglesea Street. Local road alternatives are available.

Meanwhile, closures remain in place at:

• SH6,  between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock – Flooding
• SH6, Murchison, north of State Highway 65 intersection -Slip

Bad weather is also affecting highways on the West Coast, Canterbury, Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago with the following routes closed:

• SH6 Haast to Makarora
• SH6 Inangahua between SH69 and Brown Creek Rd
• SH7 Kaiata to Stillwater
• SH73 Otira to Arthur’s Pass Village
• SH73 Springfield to Arthur’s Pass (Porters Pass)
• SH80 Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook

Drivers are urged to check road and weather conditions before they travel and make sure they take extra care on local roads and highways

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26 October – 3:15 pm:

State Highway 6 is currently closed south of Murchison,  between Murchison and O’Sullivan’s Bridge, following a slip near the State Highway 65 junction.

The slip occurred earlier this afternoon and has affected both lanes of the highway.

Further north, State Highway 6 is also closed between Pelorus Bridge and Havelock due to flooding. There is also localised flooding on the highway between Renwick and Havelock.

Drivers are asked to avoid both areas and delay their travel. Further updates will be provided as the situation changes.

Bad weather is affecting all state highways across the top of the South Island, the West Coast, Central Otago, and the Mackenzie Basin.

Drivers must drive to the conditions. Wet roads are slippery roads – reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and use your headlights if visibility is poor.

Wet weather increases the risk of slips, rockfalls and localised flooding. Road users must be prepared for these hazards and take extra care

It is essential to check road and weather conditions before you travel as bad weather can see roads closed at short notice.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The Upper Buller Gorge, SH6, part of the route between Westport and Nelson/Tasman/Canterbury, could remain closed today, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

A significant slip means the highway is closed between the intersection with the Shenandoah highway, SH65, and Inangahua at the SH69 intersection.

Alternative route – but longer

Drivers can take the longer route via the Shenandoah highway (SH65) to Springs Junction and SH7 to Reefton, then SH69 back to Inangahua to reconnect to Westport. (Reverse for leaving Westport to go to Nelson). (See map below)

NZTA crews are working hard to clear the Upper Buller Gorge slip today, the last remaining one in the upper South Island after a weekend of rain, slips, rockfall and snow.

Crews on clean-up today

Elsewhere in Te Wai Pounamu/the South Island, people returning home after Labour Weekend should expect a slower than normal journey with crews clearing up in many places and residual material around the edge of highways. NZTA thanks everyone for taking care around machinery and crews.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging drivers to avoid all non-essential travel as surface flooding, snow and fallen trees have forced several road closures and resulted in treacherous conditions on roads across the South Island.

Contractors will be working hard to restore access to closed roads progressively from tomorrow morning (Sunday 27 October), as flood waters recede and snow is cleared.

NZTA Transport Systems Manager Mark Pinner says drivers are urged to plan ahead, avoid non-essential travel and take extra care.

“We’re asking drivers to avoid stopping on snow-affected roads, and to be aware that ice may begin to form as snow melts in the early hours of Sunday. Potholes may also start to appear due to the saturated ground, there are likely to be fallen trees, slips and other debris on the road surface.

“Our crews will be working hard to clear roads and restore access as soon as possible, but we need drivers to do their part by slowing down and take exta care when driving on South Island highways for the rest of the long weekend.

The situation

A slow-moving low lies just to the west of the South Island while an associated front directs cool and moist easterlies over the southern South Island bringing heavy rain to the West Coast and Marlborough regions, and headwaters of Otago and Canterbury rivers.  It has also brought heavy snow to inland passes from Canterbury south.  Rain is expected to ease after 6pm and rivers remain below flood warning levels. Further bad weather is forecast for Sunday and more snow is forecast.  

Multiple surface flooding is reported in all regions, as well as fallen trees, rockfalls and slips.

Closures and restrictions

Tasman

• SH60 Takaka  – between Pupu Valley Road and Waitapu Wharf Road – closed due to flooding No Detour
• SH6/SH65 Murchison – Closed and will remain closed overnight due to slips and flooding

Marlborough

• SH6 Pelorus Bridge to Havelock – Closed due to flooding – high tide due 8pm
• SH63 Renwick to between Brydon St and Angelsea St Closed due to flooding – local detour
• SH63 St Arnaud – near Kowhai Point Camping Area – flooding across both lanes
• There are a number of local road closures on the Marlborough District Council network including Queen Charlotte Sound due to flooding/slips.

West Coast

• SH6 Inangahua (Upper Buller Gorge), between intersection SH69 and Brown Creek Road – flooding, local detour in place.
• SH6 Lower Buller Gorge  – Closed due to flooding.
• SH7 Stillwater to Dobson – Stillwater Underpass – Closed due to flooding.
• SH65 Closed at Springs Junction
• SH73 Arthurs Pass – Closed due to snow

Canterbury

• SH73 Porters Pass – Closed Due to snow
• SH7 Springs Junction – closed from midday Sunday to 3pm for vehicle recovery (subject to SH73 reopening)
• SH80 Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook – Closed due to snow

Otago/Southland

• SH6 Haast to Makarora – Closed due to flooding
• SH94 Milford Road – Closed due to snow

Drivers should check for the latest conditions on the NZTA Journey Planner(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

More closures and detours are coming for the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway as the level of activity picks up to ensure the project is complete by mid-December.

This means weekday night closures and detours will be required throughout November, with the possibility of further full week 24/7 closures at the end of the month if required.

Additional contractors are being brought in so that when the closures are in place work will happen on the northbound and southbound lanes at the same time, says Jo Wilton, Senior Manager Project Services at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

“We’re absolutely determined to get this finished and open to four lanes of traffic by mid-December, ahead of the busy Christmas period, which is why we’re throwing more resources at this.

“This project to repair and upgrade this section of the Waikato Expressway has caused ongoing disruption for some time and we’re asking for a bit more patience from motorists while we ramp up activity on site to finish the job,” Ms Wilton says.

The following schedule is listed on the Waikato Expressway surface works project and drivers are encouraged to check this page for the latest information on closures and detours.

Expressway surface works

Closure Date	Closure Hours	Direction
Wednesday 30 October	Overnight (7pm-5am)	Southbound
Thursday 31 October	Overnight (7pm-5am)	Northbound
Sunday 3 November to Friday 8 November	Night closures (7pm-5am) starting Sunday night and finishing Friday morning	Both directions
Sunday 10 November to Friday 15 November	Night closures (7pm-5am) starting Sunday night and finishing Friday morning	Both directions
Sunday 17 November to Friday 22 November	Night closures (7pm-5am) starting Sunday night and finishing Friday morning	Both directions
Sunday 24 November to Friday 29 November (If needed – to be confirmed)	Full road closure from midnight Sunday to midday Friday	Both directions
Sunday 1 December to Friday 6 December (If needed – to be confirmed)	Full closure from midnight Sunday to midday Friday	Both directions

Additional night closures may be required in early December. Further information will be released about this closer to the time and the table on the website will be updated.

When the Ngāruawāhia section is open to traffic a contraflow system will be in place where all vehicles will use either the northbound or southbound lanes to allow work to continue. Drivers are advised to follow the signage around the Lake Road interchange which will manage the connections to SH1 and SH1C at Lake Road and to Horotiu.

“As always with road works there may be disruption from the weather or other unforeseen circumstances, but by setting aside this amount of time for full closures, we’re confident that we’ve got enough time in reserve to ensure the job is done by our 15 December deadline,” Ms Wilton says. 

It’s a busy time on the network – so plan ahead before you travel with Journey planner:

journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

New median barriers installed on the State Highway 60 Ruby Bay Bypass are proving their worth.

Earlier this year, new safety measures were put in place on the highway between Dominion Road and Harley Road. This work also included the construction of a new right-turn bay for traffic at the Tasman View Road intersection.

Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says the barriers have prevented head-on crashes.

“Since they were installed in June, they’ve been hit five times. That’s five potential head-on collisions prevented.”

“They’re doing exactly what they’re designed to do. Reducing the risk of serious crashes and keeping people safe,” Mr Service says.

However, he says the barriers damaged by these crashes must be repaired.

“They need to be fixed so they can keep doing their job, which requires a road closure. We realise closures are disruptive, but this is the best option. Remember, closures for serious and fatal accidents are far worse, and that’s what we want to avoid.”

From 3 November to 7 November, the Ruby Bay Bypass will be closed nightly between 7 pm and 5 am to fix the barriers.

Mr Service says contractors will make the most of the closure to complete other road repairs and install new safety improvements.

“Contractors will conduct reseals where we have widened road shoulders and added the new right turn bay. It’s about making the road more waterproof and more resilient.”

“They’ll also look to install new rumble strips – Audio Tactile Profile (ATP) road markings – which alert drivers with an audible and tactile warning when drivers drive over them. Mr Service says.

Local road detours will be available while the highway is closed. People travelling between Motueka and Richmond/Nelson must detour via Mapua Drive, Stafford Drive and Aporo Road. Road users should allow an extra 10 minutes for their journeys.

Residents needing to access Gardner Valley Road or Tasman View Road will need to use Dominion Road or Harley Road. Residents needing access to Stagecoach Road and Chaytor Road must use Seaton Valley Road.

Works Schedule and Detour Routes:

• Sunday, 3 November to Thursday, 7 November. 7 pm – 5 am
• SH60 Ruby Bay Bypass closed overnight between Dominion Road and Harley Road
• Local road detours available:
  • People travelling between Motueka and Richmond/Nelson must detour via Mapua Drive, Stafford Drive and Aporo Road.
  • Residents needing to access Gardner Valley Road or Tasman View Road will need to use Dominion Road or Harley Road. Residents needing access to Stagecoach Road and Chaytor Road must use Seaton Valley Road.

More Information:

• Research shows median barriers virtually eliminate head-on crashes and reduce deaths and serious injuries from run-off-road crashes by around 40 to 50 percent.
• Head-on crashes are the leading cause of death on state highways and account for approximately half of all deaths recorded. Safety barriers offer a second chance. They help reduce the chance of a simple mistake costing lives and destroying families.
• Useful Links
• State Highway Summer Maintenance information

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work is getting underway next week to rebuild the first of 5 planned sites on State Highway 3 in South Taranaki.

The 5 sites, between Patea and Nukumaru, will be rebuilt over the coming months, with crews starting work on the first 2 sites next week.

These sites are included in the 32 lane kilometres of roads around Taranaki that we anticipate will be rebuilt over the 2024/25 maintenance season. Rebuilding the road is important to maintain its reliability and longevity.

2024/25 maintenance season(external link)

The 5 sites are:

• SH3 Waitōtara No. 1 (south of Jackson Road)
• SH3 Whenuakura (south of Oreilly Road)
• SH3 Moumahaki (between Waiau and Okotuku roads)
• SH3 Nukumaru (north of Pakaraka Road)
• SH3 Waitōtara No. 2 (south of Waitōtara River bridge)

Work on the first two sites (SH3 Waitōtara No. 1 and SH3 Whenuakura) is expected to start next Tuesday 29 October.

Both rebuilds are expected to be complete by early December.

At both sites, work will be completed under stop/go traffic management with a temporary speed limit in place. Delays of up to 10 minutes are possible at each site.

The sites will be open to two lanes of traffic during the night and on weekends.

The remaining 3 sites will begin at a later date. We will provide information about these as soon as possible.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manager for Taranaki, Liesl Dawson acknowledges there’s a lot happening on Taranaki state highways this maintenance season.

“A busy few months are ahead as we continue to make the roads more resilient, efficient and ultimately safer for all road users.

“We appreciate the support from all road users and we’re reminding people how important it is to follow the temporary traffic management in place, adhere to all speed restrictions in place and respect our crews while travelling through the roadworks site,” says Ms Dawson.

For more information about the 2024/2025 road maintenance seasons in Taranaki, visit:

Taranaki region maintenance programme

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The long Labour weekend is almost upon us and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is encouraging people to use its Holiday Journey Planner to make the most of travel around Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

The Holiday Journey Planner is the up to date, interactive map with information on road works, closures and delays – because predicted peak times for travel regularly changes based on traffic incidents, weather or driver behaviour.

Holiday Journey Planner(external link)

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti System Manager Martin Colditz says local roading crews on the East Coast stopped work at midday today (Thursday) to make it easier for people travelling this long weekend – to minimise disruption.

State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier is one of the cyclone-damaged areas which has seen a lot of activity over the past 18 months.

Work is now finishing on more recovery sites on the lower section of Devil’s Elbow.

Two-lane access has been restored over the weekend to the lower section of the elbow including the elbow itself. A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will stay in place.

One section of stop/go traffic management will remain at an area known as Devil’s Corner, about 2 kilometres south of the elbow. A delay of up to 5 minutes through this site is still expected.

The lower section of Devil’s Elbow will be reduced temporarily to a single lane from next week while a final layer of asphalt is laid before being back to two lanes long-term in November.

“We are grateful to communities for their support during this frustrating recovery period, to crews for their hard work and road users for their understanding. We know it hasn’t been easy with so many worksites in operation and we do want to reiterate our thanks to people for their patience,” says Mr Colditz.

Further north, traffic lights will remain in place through worksites at Otoko Hill, and one section will remain as a single lane.

“Allow plenty of time. You’re on holiday, there’s no need to rush. By keeping up to date with our Journey Planner, you can minimise your travel time and make the most of your destination,” says Mr Colditz.

Roadworkers will restart at sites across the region from 7am on Tuesday.

During the long weekend, there will be crews responding to emergency call outs and works if and when needed. If you need to report anything urgently, including potholes, please call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.