Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Contractors will carry out essential maintenance work on State Highway 1 Weld Pass next week as Marlborough’s summer maintenance season continues.
Night works are planned from 20 to 23 October (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights) between 7pm and 5am. These times have been brought forward by one hour from original plans following feedback from the community and freight industry.
State Highway 1 Weld Pass will be closed to all traffic while the work is completed.
Contractors will replace culverts and carry out drainage, guardrail and pre-seal repairs and stabilisation. They will install raised line markings, clear surface water channelling and shoulder edge breaks, and complete other general works.
Because of the work involved and the narrowness of the highway through Weld Pass, night closures are the best way to get the work done as quickly and safely as possible.
While there will be a midnight opening each night to allow queued traffic through the work site, the closure will create delays for people travelling between Blenheim and Christchurch.
Drivers must factor it into their travel plans. This is especially critical for people with ferry connections as the inland route is a significantly longer trip.
Every effort is being made to reduce the impact on road users. Maintenance is done at night when there is less traffic on the road. It has been timed to avoid upcoming public holiday weekends, including Labour and Marlborough Anniversary weekends.
Road users are reminded of other minor summer maintenance and resilience works around the region, including daytime works on State Highway 63 in the Wairau Valley and State Highway 6 at Rai Saddle.
Further maintenance work and night closures are planned for Weld Pass over the next six to nine months. Additional updates will be provided ahead of planned works in January/February and late April/May next year.
Works schedule
- Sunday, 20 October, Monday 21 October, Tuesday 22 October and Wednesday 23 October. 7 pm to 5 am.
- Full road closure – no suitable local road detours available. An alternative route to Christchurch is via the inland route – St Arnaud, Murchison, Lewis Pass. This is a significantly longer route and has much longer travel times.
- There will be one opening each night at midnight to let queued traffic through the work area. The northbound lane will travel first, followed by the southbound lane.
- If works are delayed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Thursday 24 October will be a contingency night.
- Road users must follow the instructions of contractors and obey all temporary speed limits and traffic controls.
