CYCLONE GABRIELLE UPDATES: View our traffic map for the latest available information on road closures and delays.(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Report a phishing scam or learn about the latest phishing emails

TRAFFIC UPDATES: Several roads have been impacted by recent weather events. We’ll provide updates on our Journey Planner website as information becomes available. View our traffic map for road closures and delays(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Report a phishing scam or learn about the latest phishing emails

CONTACT CENTRE WAIT TIMES: Our Contact Centre is currently experiencing significant wait times. View frequently asked questions

ONLINE TRANSACTIONS: We are experiencing issues with credit and debit card transactions on our website. We are working with the payment provider to resolve this as soon as we can. 

CONTACT CENTRE WAIT TIMES: Our Contact Centre is currently experiencing significant wait times. View frequently asked questions

REGO AND RUC LABEL ERROR: There was a postage error with labels purchased on the 15 August 2022. Find out more

ROAD USER CHARGES (RUC) DISCOUNT: Find out more about the temporary RUC reduction scheme

ONLINE SERVICES: We are currently experiencing issues with all our online services at the moment. We are working to resolve the services as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

COVID-19 SERVICES UPDATE: Information on Waka Kotahi services, extensions and more

ONLINE SERVICES: We currently have an issue with receiving some payments and are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience.

EASTER WEEKEND – PLAN AHEAD: Heading away for the long weekend? Check our holiday journeys tool(external link)

SCAM ALERTS: Refund email and Vehicle licence (rego) renewal phishing emails

CONTACT CENTRE PHONE LINES: Our Contact Centre phone lines are currently unavailable. View frequently asked questions

Rock stabilisation Nevis Bluff, Queenstown Lakes District, late September to mid-December

|

People who use the road between Cromwell and Queenstown, State Highway 6, will see abseilers and drilling activities at the Nevis Bluff from Monday, 23 September.

The NZ Transport Agency’s Aspiring Highways team is about to start significant further rock stabilisation work at the Bluff.

Drivers travelling between Cromwell and Queenstown are reminded to take extra care around any road crews or traffic management sites. Short delays are possible.

“As part of the Transport Agency’s ongoing safety and monitoring of the Nevis Bluff, this planned work was put off in earlier 2019 to stabilise a more unstable area of the Bluff. This was completed in early July,” says Mark Stewart, Central Otago Maintenance Contract Manager, NZ Transport Agency.

The planned stabilisation of the rock mass known as ‘Midstream Columns’ (see map below) provides a number of benefits for the long-term management of the Bluff and road users’ safety:

  • Stabilising a large section of the rock face that was undermined with the road widening in the early 1970s, which will
  • Secure an access bench that provides good and easy access to the upper reaches of the Bluff, and
  • Provide a key location for the installation of future rock fall protection measures for the Nevis Bluff.

“The cost of the work, which will take around 12 weeks to complete, through to mid-December, is around $850,000,” says Mr Stewart.

“The work will involve stabilising the rock mass with around 130 rock bolts. The rock mass is a key part of the Bluff and it would be significantly disruptive to road users to blast using explosives, although some small blasting will occur in the first two to three weeks to clean up the rock face,” he says.

“Most of the work can be completed with the road remaining open to two lanes with minimal disruption to road users.”

The Midstream Columns rock feature is next to the site of the 30,000 cubic metre Nevis Bluff 1975 rockfall, which closed the road for several weeks and caused significant disruption for months afterwards while clean up and stabilisation work was completed.

Drillers working on the Nevis stabilisation work in early 2019

Drillers working on the Nevis stabilisation work in early 2019

Site of 1975 rockfall and current rockfall at Midstream Column

The 1975 rockfall 44 years ago at Nevis Bluff and the current stabilisation work at the Midstream Columns

The Nevis Bluff is about half way between Cromwell and Queenstown – 25 minutes from Cromwell, 35 minutes from Queenstown.

This work is subject to weather conditions.

The Transport Agency thanks everyone for their patience and for taking care around road crews and other road users while this important safety work is completed.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

Tags