A section of the alternate Picton to Christchurch route closes overnight from November 12-13.
The NZ Transport Agency is closing part of State Highway 65, the Shenandoah Highway, to repair the Williscroft Bridge between Springs Junction and Maruia, over the Maruia River.
The highway is a key part of the alternate route between Picton and Christchurch, and the detour via Inangahua and Reefton will add 40 minutes to the journey, agency journey manager Tresca Forrester says.
The Shenandoah Highway is 71km and the Reefton detour loop Murchison to Springs Junction 129km.
Work starts November 12 at 8pm and goes through to 6am the next day, weather permitting.
“The large volumes of traffic mean that frequent highway maintenance and repairs are needed,” Forrester says.
“The highway will be well signposted at the Murchison and Springs Junction ends with manned check points so drivers are aware of the full closure.
“We encourage anyone taking this route to build in regular breaks in places like Murchison and Springs Junction to avoid getting tired.”
