The NZ Transport Agency says substantial safety and strengthening work is ramping up along the alternate state highway route from Picton to Christchurch, via the Lewis Pass.
“Work is hitting high gear on the Lewis Pass road,” says NZTA regional performance manager Pete Connors.
Connors says an immediate focus is being put into upgrading SH63 near St Arnaud in the weeks leading up to the very busy Christmas/New Year travel period.
“Crews will be resealing the road at 14 separate sites on the highway leading into Christmas, with repairs and road-widening happening at several locations,” says Connors.
This work is underway for completion before Christmas.
Design work is also underway to widen the narrowest section of SH63 near Kawatiri Junction known as Howard Narrows.
“Over the whole alternate highway route from Picton to Waipara, around 24 kilometres of new chip sealing is planned over several different sites for this summer,” says Connors.
“Contractors will also be installing a network of new safety and speed restriction signs along the route, with initial work already underway,” he says.
“This new system of safety signage will help to support increased and highly visible Police enforcement all along the road to keep everyone safe,” says Connors.
“The Transport Agency is also planning on widening the road at several critical points to help ensure that the larger number of cars and trucks using the alternate route can travel safely in both directions, with work already underway at some sites,” he says.
“Additional slow vehicle bays are also planned to help faster-moving traffic pass safely while slower vehicles pull over, and more safe rest areas for truck drivers are being made available all along the route,” says Connors.
“We’re working closely with freight operators and councils to determine the best locations for these additional heavy vehicle pull-over spots,” he says.
Connors says the alternate route will be the primary state highway connection for this part of the country for some time, and the Transport Agency is committing to keeping the road safe and open.
He advises that motorists should expect to see additional work crews on the network making improvements and responding rapidly to repair potholes and other damage caused by the heavier traffic.
While some delays are inevitable while work is carried out, Connors says contractors will do everything possible to minimise disruptions and provide as much notice as possible to the community and freight operators for significant works.
He is also urging motorists to be patient and plan ahead to complete their journeys safely.
“We know there are lots of popular holiday spots in the top of the South and the work we are doing on the highway will help people reach their destinations safely,” says Connors.
“As the journey is now longer than the old SH1 route, people may also want to consider staying in Marlborough or heading over to Nelson to break up their trip,” he says.
