Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Daytime and nighttime closures are planned for State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill next month, as the state highway summer maintenance season continues at the top of the South Island.
Chip sealing and asphalting works are planned – this is work carried out every year to ensure the highway’s road surface is maintained and kept in a good state of repair.
Daytime closures will be in place for chipsealing from Tuesday 4 November to Friday 7 November, between 9am and 3:30pm. During this time, the road will reopen once at 11:30am to let traffic through.
They will be followed by three weeks of night closures for asphalt resurfacing and other maintenance works – from Sunday 30 November to Friday 19 December – between 6pm and 7am (Sunday – Thursday nights). There will be one 1am opening every night to let queued traffic through.
Rob Service, System Manager, Nelson/Tasman, says the intention is to complete the work, along with ongoing storm recovery repairs, before the summer holidays.
“Golden Bay is a popular holiday spot, and summer always brings more traffic. So, we want to get as much work as we can finished before the summer holiday season.”
Mr Service says closures are essential if the work is to be completed quickly.
“The highway over Tākaka Hill is narrow and space is restricted. Doing this maintenance under stop/go would take far longer to complete and run into the region’s holiday season. This is something we want to avoid.”
“Closures also improve safety for the public and for workers and help reduce traffic management costs. It means we have more to invest in improving the road,” Mr Service says.
Mr Service says he appreciates the disruption this work will cause, on top of the current recovery work being carried out on the Tākaka Hill.
“There is a lot happening on this route and we know drivers find delays from roadworks frustrating. It is critical regular users of the route factor this work into their travel plans.”
“But it is a vital transport link and the floods earlier this year show just how critical it is that we continue to invest in it to strengthen its resilience and reliability. Please bear with us while we get it done,” Mr Service says.
He says contractors will make the most of the closures to carry out additional recovery works at sites that suffered storm damage earlier this year
Mr Service acknowledges travel over the Tākaka Hill is vital for residents and local businesses, and their needs are important.
“We are timing the day closures to avoid the school bus run and peak commuting times. We realise the work is disruptive, but we are our hardest to meet community needs.”
Works schedule
Day closures
- Tuesday 4 November to Friday 7 November. 9am – 3:30pm.
- SH60 CLOSED between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka.
- There will be one opening at 11:30 am to let queued traffic through. Queued traffic will take time to clear, and delays can be expected.
- During the closure, contractors will chipseal 3.3km of the highway at eight sites between Riwaka Valley Road and Aaron Creek.
- Outside of the closure times, stop/go traffic management will remain in place as recovery work continues. Expect delays of up to 20 minutes.
- Access will be available for emergency services.
Night closures
- Sunday 30 November to Friday 19 December. 6pm and 7am (no work on Friday or Saturday nights).
- SH60 CLOSED between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka.
- The road will open once each night around 1 am for traffic at two road closure points.
- Vehicles travelling over the hill need to be at the Aaron Creek Road closure point by 12:30am or at the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by 1am.
- Outside of the closure times, stop/go traffic management will remain in place as recovery work continues. Expect delays of up to 20 minutes.
- Access will be available for emergency services.
Summer maintenance season – Tips and advice
- Drivers need to be aware other summer maintenance and resilience works are happening around the region.
- Due to the number of worksites on each corridor we recommend allowing an extra 30 minutes travel time on State Highway 6 between Nelson and West Coast.
- We also recommend allowing an extra 40 minutes travel time on State Highway 1 between Picton and Christchurch.
- Drivers should check road conditions before they travel as knowing when and where roadworks are happening means you can time your travel to avoid them or allow extra time for your trip.
- Whenever you come to a worksite, remember that our road workers are doing their best to complete their work and keep you moving. Please be respectful and follow their advice and instructions.
