Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
With our summer maintenance programme in full swing, road users will have noticed multiple chip sealing sites on local state highways across the top of the South Island.
Bitumen spray for chipsealing work, SH60 Tākaka Hill.
The work is essential for ensuring the region’s highways are kept safe and resilient for drivers.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Wellington/Top of the South says summer, when the weather is warmer, is the perfect time of year to get this sort of road resurfacing work done.
“We commonly hear drivers asking why there are more road works at this time of the year. The simple answer is permanent repairs need warm and dry weather to be effective and can’t be done during the wet and cold winter months. This is why drivers always see a lot of resurfacing work done over summer.”
“Many sites have already been completed, and our contractors are making the most of the hot, dry weather to get as much work done over the next couple of weeks before Christmas,” Mr Owen says.
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Work locations between now and Christmas |
Timing |
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SH60 Tākaka Between Paynes Ford Reserve and Motupipi Street, Tākaka |
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December, 7 am to 7 pm |
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SH60 Tākaka township Between Long Plain Road and Māori Road, Tākaka |
Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December, 6 pm to 11 pm |
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SH60 Tākaka Airport Between Tākaka Airport and Little Onahau River |
Friday 6 December, 7 am to 7 pm |
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SH6 between Northbank Road and Okaramio Marlborough Two separate sites |
Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 December, 7 am to 7 pm |
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SH6 between Okaramio and Havelock Two separate sites |
Tuesday 10 to Wednesday 11 December 7 am to 7 pm |
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SH6 Canvastown Four separate sites |
Wednesday 11 and Friday 13 December 7 am to 7 pm |
The chip seal sites will be spread throughout the region. For Nelson/Tasman, this includes locations on State Highway 60 near Tākaka. In the New Year, contractors will be working across the Nelson/Tasman region on multiple sites, including:
- State Highway 6 around Glenhope
- State Highway 6 between Hope Saddle and State Highway 63 Kawatiri Junction
- State Highway 6 around Murchison township
- State Highway 6 Whangamoa Hill
- State Highway 65 Shenandoah Highway
- State Highway 63 at sites on either side of the St Arnaud township
- Various sites on each side of State Highway 63 and the St Arnaud-Kawatiri intersection.
In Marlborough, crews will be out on State Highway 6 between now and Christmas. Crews will return to various sites in the New Year, including:
- State Highway 1 Spring Creek
- State Highway 1 Tuamarina
- State Highway 1 Redwood Pass
- State Highway 1 in the Seddon township
- State Highway 6 Woodbourne
- State Highway 62 Rapaura Road
- Four sites on State Highway 63.
Road users travelling to the West Coast and further south over summer can also expect to come upon chip seal operations during their journeys.
Mr Owen says the work is essential for keeping the roads in tip-top shape.
Stop/go controls will be in place while chip seal work is underway. Temporary speed limits will apply day and night and remain in place until the new surface beds in. Crews will then sweep the new surface before re-applying road markings.
Mr Owen says 30 km/h limits are in place for good reason.
“If people drive too fast, they damage the road surface, meaning the work has to be redone – creating even more travel delays. Stone chips can also flick up and damage other vehicles.”
“Sticking to the posted speed limit also helps to keep everyone, including our road workers, safe.”
Mr Owen appreciates that road works cause delays and frustration for drivers.
“We try to minimise the impact of road works as much as possible. But, like the saying you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs. Road works inevitably affect traffic.”
“Please remember this is an important investment in infrastructure and helps keep our highways safe. All road users benefit from this work,” Mr Owen says.
