Travel warning: Blenheim to CHCH or vice versa (14 June)

[Sniper]

Sent on behalf of Transit New Zealand, Christchurch Regional Office

Media release

Road closures on SH1 due to safety improvement work

Transit New Zealand is about to begin safety improvement work on State Highway 1 (SH1) at Ohau Point, 26 km north of Kaikoura, which will result in road closures of up to two hours.

As there is no suitable local detour, these closures will affect people travelling between Kaikoura and Picton. There is an alternative route between Picton and Christchurch via the Lewis Pass, however this will add two hours of travel time to the journey. Road users are advised to plan their travel to coincide with the periods of time when the road is open or allow for the additional travel time.

Transit’s North Canterbury Area Engineer, Barry Stratton, says the work will reduce the risk of rock falls and improve highway safety. “Ohau Point has been the site of numerous rock falls over the years. By clearing loose rock and fixing wire mesh to part of the rock face we will be able to help stabilise and improve the safety in this area.”

Work will start on Tuesday 12 June and is expected to be completed by Thursday 21 June. In order to ensure the safety of both road users and contractors on this narrow section of state highway while work is underway, road closures will occur between 8:00am and 6:00pm each day. The road will be opened at 10:00am, 12:00 noon, 2:00pm and 4:00pm for 15 minute periods, to allow traffic to pass. Transit will be monitoring traffic flows over this period.

The road will be open every night from 6:00pm until 8:00am each day and all day on Sunday 17 June.

Transit has liaised with road user groups and emergency services so that disruption to regular road users can be kept to a minimum.

ENDS
For more information:

Barry Stratton
Area Engineer North Canterbury
Transit New Zealand, Christchurch Regional Office
Ph: 03 372 1814
Mob: 021 883 806

[onearmedbandit]

You're fucking kidding?? I'm travelling up to Picton tomorrow to pick up my bucket racer. Oh well, minor inconvienence.

[SDU]

Thanks for the heads up Sniper

[Sniper]

You're fucking kidding?? I'm travelling up to Picton tomorrow to pick up my bucket racer. Oh well, minor inconvienence.

Might pay to go when its open at night mate. If you need a bed up there, let me know, there are a couple of guys I know who would put you up

Thanks for the heads up Sniper

No worries, figure it should be public info.

[onearmedbandit]

Thanks Sniper. We're heading up at about 4pm'ish with the intention of driving home the same night/morning. No sleep for the wicked.

[phoenixgtr]

Cheer Sniper. Goddammit!!

[Sniper]

Just a small bump