Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Road users in Nelson and Richmond can expect a smoother ride as they travel along State Highway 6 near the Richmond lights.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Wellington/Top of the South, says several sections on SH6 Gladstone Road, Richmond, will receive two weeks of night-time resurfacing works next month as the summer maintenance season begins.
“It is essential maintenance and crucial for keeping the road up to standard for all road users. The result will be a safer and more resilient road.”
Between 22 September and 10 October, the highway will operate under stop/go temporary traffic management between SH6 Richmond Deviation and Church Street from 8 pm until 7 am to allow for eight sections of the road to be resurfaced. During work times, direct access from SH6 into McGlashen Avenue, and access from Lower Queen Street to Queen Street will be closed. Alternative access will be provided.
Alternative access to McGlashen Avenue and Queen Street will be provided as road users won’t be able to turn into these streets from State Highway 6.
During the night works, contractors will remove sections of the existing road surface and replace it with a thicker layer of asphalt before reinstating line markings.
Mr Owen says the site last had maintenance done around four years ago.
“It’s time for it to be repaired. Regular maintenance is the best way of avoiding more substantial and costlier repairs later – which can also have a bigger impact on road users.”
“We understand Lower Queen Street is a busy intersection, and our work can be disruptive. We will minimise the impact as much as possible by working at night when there is less traffic,” Mr Owen says.
Because the intersection is on the main route between Nelson and Tasman, drivers must factor the work into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys. Delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected.
Road users must follow traffic management rules and road crews’ instructions. This is essential for keeping workers and the public safe.
Works schedule and detour route
- 22 September – 10 October, 8 pm to 7 am, excluding Friday and Saturday nights.
- State Highway 6 Gladstone Road will be under stop/go temporary traffic management from the Richmond Deviation to Church Street.
- There will be no direct access to from SH6 to McGlashen Avenue or from Lower Queen Street to Queen Street.
- Alternative access to Queen Street and McGlashen Avenue is via Oxford Street, Cambridge Street, Queen Street, and McIndoe Place. However, this route is unsuitable for heavy vehicles, which must use SH6 Richmond Deviation and Salisbury Road instead.
- There will be several nights when there will be no right turn from Lower Queen Street onto SH6 for southbound traffic (towards Three Brothers Corner). During this time, road users must detour via McShane Road and SH60.
- There will be several nights when no left turn will be available for northbound traffic on SH6 onto Lower Queen Street (towards Motueka). During this time, road users will need to detour via SH60 and McShane Road.
- On Sunday nights there will be stop/go temporary traffic management in place for road users turning left from Lower Queen Street onto SH6 Richmond Deviation, northbound (towards Nelson)
- The stop/go temporary traffic management is expected to add up to 20 minutes to travel times.
- A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will be in place when travelling through the site.
- Cyclists entering the stop/go section of SH6 will need to dismount and use the footpath/pedestrian crossing.
