State Highway 1 was due to fully reopen on 13 May 2024, but due to a slip at the site where NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi teams are working to repair the road damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle, this will no longer be possible.

The slip occurred over the weekend at Kauri Tree Corner (zone F) on a slope teams were working to stabilise and there has continued to be movement in the hillside over the last couple of days, with a substantial amount of material falling today, 30 April.

NZTA is undertaking further geotechnical assessments to determine the approach for stabilising the hillside based on this new slip, under urgency, so we can continue the repair work underway to shore up the road for winter and provide resilience in the short to medium term.

“This must be fixed before the road can safely reopen to traffic. We understand this is not the news anyone wants to hear.” says Mark Kinvig, NZTA’s National Manager Infrastructure Delivery.

“Everyone wants the road opened as soon as possible, and we remain committed to completing these vital recovery works ahead of winter to ensure a safe and reliable SH1 Brynderwyn Hills as part of Cyclone Gabrielle recovery works.

“Our team is still in the early stages of assessing the best solution, and we will confirm more details as soon as we can. With the hillside still moving, safety of our team must be managed carefully. We appreciate how frustrating this is for everyone impacted by the closure and our crews, who have worked so hard to keep to schedule,” Mr Kinvig says.  

NZTA will keep everyone updated through our e-newsletter and social media channels, as we continue to work at pace to complete the work as soon as possible.

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We thank everyone for their patience and remind people to drive safely when using the three detour routes – SH12/SH14, Paparoa Oakleigh Road and Cove Road.

Kauri Tree corner slip as of 27 April. More of the hillside has slipped today.

From Tuesday 7 May, between the hours of 7.30am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, stop/go traffic management will be in place at Whangaehu River Bridge on SH3 due to bridge strengthening works. A reduced speed limit of 30km/h will be in place during these daytime work hours, and delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected.

This daytime traffic management is expected to be in place for about 7 weeks. Outside of work hours, traffic management will be removed and the road will operate as normal.

This strengthening work involves welding additional steel plates to existing beams and requires traffic vibration to be minimised. Because of this, it’s crucial all temporary speed limits are adhered to while this important bridge maintenance work is underway.

Traffic queues will be closely monitored, and motorists are advised to expect changes in traffic management as crews aim to minimise vibrations on the bridge and delay times for travellers.

As well as strengthening work, the bridge is also being painted and scaffolding has been set up underneath the bridge. This paint work involves applying protective coatings to all three spans of the 110-metre-long bridge that stretches over the Whangaehu River.

Following the painting of the first span, crews will move to paint the third span, and then finally paint the second span later this year.

All of the work is taking place underneath the bridge and while it won’t be visible to motorists passing by, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is reminding people to drive carefully and adhere to the temporary traffic management, speeds and signage in place.

The overall project, including painting the final span, is expected to be completed by September this year.

It is safe to access the bridge, these works are about extending its longevity. Safety for all road users is a priority for NZTA, and regular bridge inspections are carried out to ensure all state highway bridges in New Zealand remain safe.

NZTA wants to thank all users of the bridge and local communities for their support while this work is carried out.

The bridge with scaffolding set up.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), as part of its regular bridge maintenance, will be jacking bridge beams and repairing some joints/bearings from Monday night, 7 May through to 30 July. Deck joints and concrete will be repaired at the same time.

“People will have Stop /Go manual traffic operations from 7pm – 5am, Sunday to Friday managing single lanes,” says Tracy Bell, Network Manager, Structures for NZTA in Canterbury. 

“We will also need full bridge closures for around six nights, with 30-minute delays for all traffic at each end, between 10pm and 5am. These full closures will occur around every ten days on average across this time.

“Given this is SH1 we do expect some short-term queuing some evenings,” she says.

The work is scheduled from Tuesday, 7 May – Tuesday, 30 July and the full bridge closures with 30-minute delays will be advertised on electronic signs on the highway  up to two days before they occur.

NZTA thanks all SH1 Canterbury drivers for taking care around our bridge repair crews and slowing to 30km/h overnight when work is in progress.

Updates on Journey Planner

Stop/go traffic lights will be in place between 7 am and 6 pm when contractors will complete maintenance work on the Wairau River Bridge’s abutments and connections.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

For the safety of contractors and road users, a temporary 30 km/h speed limit must be followed when travelling over the bridge. Cyclists must also follow the traffic management and be guided through the site.

This is the second day of work required for this project. It follows previous maintenance carried out on Sunday, 21 April.

It has been timed on Sunday when traffic volumes are lower. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption for road users.

However, drivers, particularly those with Picton ferry connections, should plan ahead and allow extra time for their travel.

It’s important to note that the State Highway 6 Wairau Bridge remains safe to use. This work is part of the NZTA/Waka Kotahi proactive bridge maintenance programme.

These works are weather-dependent, and timings may change. Updates on the highway’s status can be checked on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website.

Highway conditions – Nelson/Marlborough
 

Transport Rebuild East Coast crews will be working on the Expressway between Meeanee Road and Links Road from 8pm on Sunday 19 May.

The road will reopen at 5am on Monday 20 May.

The detour (not suitable for HPMVs) is via Meeanee Road, Awatoto Road, right onto SH51, right onto Te Ara Kahikatea at Mangateretere, and left onto Pakowhai Road.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi wants to thank all road users for their support and for taking this detour while the resurfacing work takes place.