Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
With winter behind us and warmer days on the horizon, preparations are underway for the summer maintenance work programme on Southland’s state highways.
“Drainage and digouts have already started on five sites, as this needs to be completed before beginning road reconstruction. The full road reconstructions will begin from tomorrow (1 October),” says Justin Reid, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) in Southland.
“Resurfacing of highways requires warmer air and road temperatures, so the Highways South team (on behalf of NZTA) will be reconstructing and resurfacing highways from now until the end of March as daylight hours increase.”
“The public will see the team working on multiple sites at the same time to get as much completed in this weather window as possible. We know that road works can be disruptive for all road users and often residents too, but these are critical reconstruction projects which will improve everyone’s journeys long-term.”
Full road reconstruction will begin from early October on SH1 Bluff Highway, SH93 Old Coach Road, SH94 Te Anau-Mossburn highway at The Key, and SH96 near Wreys Bush.
Southland highway road reconstructions this season
Before the end of the season in March, Highways South is aiming to complete 12 road reconstruction projects:
- SH1 Bluff highway between Clifton and Motu Rimu Road
- SH1 Waipahi highway east of Pukerau
- SH93 Old Coach Road from Slopedown School Road to Hurst Road
- SH94 Te Anau-Mossburn highway from The Key south
- SH94 north of Te Anau
- SH96 Winton-Hedgehope highway at Browns
- SH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway at Dunearn
- SH96 Wreys Bush-Nightcaps Highway near Wreys Bush
- SH96 Nightcaps-Ohai highway near Ohai
- SH97 Mossburn-Five Rivers Road near Five Rivers
- SH97 Mossburn-Five Rivers Road near Acton
- SH99 Wallacetown-Lorneville highway at Wallacetown
“NZTA and our Highways South crews appreciate the patience of our community,” Mr Reid says.
“Remember to stick to the temporary speed limit through these sites – this is there to protect road users, our crews, but also the new surface. Our teams will do their absolute best to get you through these sites with as little delay as possible.’’
You can stay up to date with the latest work on the highways and what it means for your travel at our Journey Planner site, or by visiting our Otago & Southland Facebook page (see link below).
