Heavy rain is expected in parts of the South Island, in particular State Highways 7 and 73 (Lewis Pass and Arthur’s Pass) today and through the weekend to Monday, 3 July.
The NZ Transport Agency and Police are reminding property owners of their responsibility to keep animals safely fenced after two recent crashes involving horses. One was a serious crash on the Northern Motorway, State Highway 1, on the outskirts of Christchurch and the other on State Highway 6 just north of Hokitika, on the West Coast.
The NZ Transport Agency has announced a major Otago safety project, on State Highway 1 from Lookout Point, Dunedin, to Mosgiel, will get underway in July.
Traffic has started moving more freely at the busy BP roundabout at Frankton this week with new traffic lanes now operational. The NZ Transport Agency has been working on the roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 6 and 6A since January, including adding a new dedicated Queenstown-bound traffic departure lane.
Driving on parts of our highways during the winter months can be treacherous, says NZ Transport Agency Canterbury/ West Coast Journey Manager Lee Wright.
KiwiRail’s upgrade work on the rail level crossing at Waipara, State Highway 7, part of the new Picton to Christchurch Alternate Route, will create detours for drivers from this Monday, 26 June until Thursday, 29 June.
People who use the road between Wanaka and Tarras, State Highway 8A, may experience some disruptions from next week. Strengthening work on the Luggate (Red) Bridge from Tuesday, 20 June, will require a day’s full closure to enable the scaffolding to go in place, followed by work at night to minimise disruption to road users.
Drivers on State Highway 1 south of Oamaru will need to build in extra time this weekend as specialist KiwiRail crews replace the rail slab and road approaches at the Maheno rail level crossing.
A regular weekly schedule of open and closed days for State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura will take effect from next week as work crews from the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) team move into a new phase of work on the rebuild of the road and rail corridor.
The NZ Transport Agency says drivers need to be extra vigilant in the South Island, with the wintry blast expected to continue to affect roads and driving conditions in many areas over the next two days.
Lower speeds will remain in place on the Picton to Christchurch alternate route until State Highway 1 (SH1) north of Kaikoura reopens, after which speed limits will be reviewed again.
The NZ Transport Agency’s contractors will begin safety improvement work at the State Highway 1 / State Highway 79 intersection at Rangitata, from 12 June.
NZ Transport Agency contractors need to close one part of the Picton to Christchurch Alternate Route on State Highway 63 south of Renwick for two nights from this Sunday night at 7 pm. The detour via Nelson will add an extra hour to the trip.