Night works are planned for the route from 18 to 20 February (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights) between 8pm and 6am.

Weld Pass will be closed to all traffic while the work is underway.

Contractors will be carrying out road repairs, fixing road signs and guardrails, installing raised line markings, as well as investigating future options for improving and maintaining the highway’s road surface.”

Because of the work involved and the fact the highway through Weld Pass is narrow, night closures are the best way to get the work done as quickly and safely as possible.

The work has been planned as carefully as possible to have the least impact on traffic, and there will be two openings every night to let queued traffic through the work areas – one at midnight and another at 3am. These are deliberately timed to fit with ferry schedules.

There are no suitable local road detours available, so the closures will create delays for those travelling overnight between Christchurch and Blenheim/Picton. The inland route via SH7 Lewis Pass, SH65 Springs Junction, SH6 Murchison – Howard Junction, and SH63 Wairau Valley is the only alternative route and has a much longer travel time.

Drivers are urged to factor the closures into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys. This is especially important for drivers with ferry connections.

Further maintenance and inspection work is planned for Weld Pass this year.

More night closures are planned for late April/early May to ensure the highway is in good shape before winter. Another maintenance closure is scheduled for October.

Weld Pass is a vital part of State Highway 1 in Marlborough, and it is essential it is regularly maintained and serviced.

Works schedule

• Sunday 18 February, Monday 19 February, and Tuesday 20 February. 8pm to 6am.
• 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 two openings of the road every night – one at midnight and one at 3am – 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, Wednesday 21 February will be a contingency night.
• Road users must follow the instructions of contractors and obey all temporary speed limits and traffic controls.

Works location

This section of SH6 will be closed for essential resurfacing work during times listed below, with traffic stopped on the Queenstown side of the bridge and at Gibbston:

Sunday 11 February – Thursday 15 February: Road  closed from 7pm to 5:30am. The road will open to allow traffic through every 30 minutes between 7pm and 10pm, with additional openings at 12am and 3am.

Sunday 18 February – Thursday 22 February: Road  closed from 7pm to 5:30am. The road will open to allow traffic through every 30 minutes between 7pm and 10pm, with additional openings at 12am and 3am.

Due to the nature of the resurfacing work, there is no other option than to close this section of SH6 in both directions during the dates and times above. Due to the location of the works, there is no detour available. There will also be traffic management and speed restrictions in place on these dates outside of the hours of closure.

Sunday 25 February – Thursday 22 March:  Stop/Go traffic management will be in place overnight from 7pm-5.30am Sunday to Thursday nights, DELAYS of 10 minutes should be expected.

During the day, road users are requested to stick to the temporary speed restriction.

NZTA is urging drivers to plan their journeys around the closures, with delays of up to three hours while the bridge is closed to traffic to allow contractors to complete these essential works.

Please check the NZTA on-line Journey Planner for the latest up to date road conditions.

Journey Planner

The closures will allow contractors to complete a range of safety improvements at the off-ramp, making the intersection safer for everyone who uses it. Work begins today (Monday 29 January), and is expected to be completed in late April 2024.

The safety upgrade work includes:

• new traffic signals at the Tram Road off-ramp, which will improve the safety, efficiency, and capacity of the right turn towards Kaiapoi
• extending the free left-turn, which will provide a safe merging space for drivers on Tram Road
• the relocation of light poles and the installation of a new kerb and channel
• the installation of a two-metre-wide cycle lane around the free left-turn on Tram Road to make it safer for people on bikes travelling west towards Ohoka.

The Tram Road off-ramp will be fully closed at times during the work, primarily overnight between 8pm and 4am. The off-ramp will remain open during weekday peak. evening periods.

During the off-ramp closures, motorway traffic will be detoured via Ohoka Road and Island Road. The Tram Road overpass will operate one-way eastbound only across the motorway bridge during the work, while westbound traffic will be detoured via Main North Road, Ohoka Road and Island Road.

The Tram Road on-ramp will remain be accessible throughout the work, and in particular during the weekday peak morning period. During overnight off-ramp and Tram Road closures, access to the on-ramp will be available from the east approach (Main North Road) side only.

Drivers heading from Christchurch to Kaiapoi are encouraged to consider using Main North Road and the Old Waimakariri Bridge to access Kaiapoi to avoid disruption at the interchange. Please follow signage, drive with care through the worksite and allow extra time for journeys.

Christchurch Northern Corridor

Update 11.55am

Drivers can expect delays travelling the route while the crash is cleared, and should follow all instructions from contractors and emergency services at the crash site.

Wet weather means drivers should take extra care on the roads and ensure they drive to the conditions. Please watch your following distances, reduce speed, and use headlights if visibility is poor.

27 January 2024 11:45am

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill. Is currently closed following a crash this morning.

The crash, involving multiple vehicles near the Remutaka Hill summit (Featherston side), was reported just before 11:30am.

The highway is closed between the Kaitoke and Featherston Gates – drivers should delay their travel and avoid the area.

Emergency services and contractors are attending the incident.

Road users can keep up-to-date on the highway’s status on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website.

Highway Conditions – Wellington

Update: 8.25pm

The crash scene has been cleared and the northbound lanes of the motorway have reopened. Drivers can expect delays while queued traffic clears.

28 January 2024 8:15pm

The northbound lanes of the State Highway 1 motorway are closed near Johnsonville following a crash this evening.

The crash, which occurred near the Johnsonville offramp, was reported around 7:45 pm.

Both northbound lanes of the highway are currently blocked – emergency services and contractors are attending the incident.

Drivers heading north out of Wellington’s CBD on State Highway 1 can expect delays until the crash scene is cleared. They should either delay their travel or consider an alternate route.

Updates on the highway’s status can be found on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website:

Highway Conditions – Wellington

Saddle Road, which connects Ashhurst to Woodville, will close:

Monday 12 February – Friday 23 February 2024

• Monday to Thursday: 9am and 4pm.
• Friday: 10am and 4pm.  

Saddle Road will remain open in the evenings and on the weekends.

The day time closures will allow crews to carry out essential maintenance, including road repairs, drainage improvements and asphalt resurfacing.

During these closure times, traffic will be detoured via State Highway 2 and over the Pahiatua Track.

A partial road closure will be in place on Mulgrave Street in Ashhurst, at the same time, for asphalting.

To minimise further disruption to road users at a later date, the road will be closed during the same period as Saddle Road closure –  from Monday 12 February to Friday 23 February during the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday – Thursday, and 10am and 4pm on Fridays.

Salisbury Street will remain open at all times. This partial closure of Mulgrave Street will be lifted once the asphalting works have been completed.

Outside of the closure hours, parts of Saddle Road and Mulgrave Street will have a reduced speed limit of 30km/h in place. Access for residents, emergency services and Te Ahu a Turanga worksites will remain open at all times.

Saddle Road is a crucial link between Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi acknowledges there’s never an ideal time for the closure.

NZTA wants to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as crews carry out these essential works.

These works may be postponed at short notice in the event of poor weather. People are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on roadworks, road closures, traffic and delays.

Saddle Road is currently the alternative State Highway 3 while construction is progressing on Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū – Tararua Highway.

Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū – Tararua Highway