Work to replace the Taitarakihi culvert on State Highway 1 in Timaru, near the Showgrounds Shopping Centre, is due to begin early next month and road users will need to adjust to temporary traffic changes at the site.

The deteriorating condition of the existing culvert, next to the SH1 Evans Street/Grants Road intersection, means there is a pressing need for its replacement. The work is due to start on Monday 8 September, and is expected to take about eight months to complete.

Businesses in the area can continue to operate, but there will be changes to how traffic is managed at the intersection. The work will be completed in two stages and a section of SH1 Evans Street will reduce to a single lane with traffic in either direction for the duration of the project.

Work will start on the eastern side of SH1 Evans Street, with two lanes of traffic positioned on the western side. There will be no exit from Grants Road with entry only via SH1. There will be no entry to the Showgrounds Shopping Centre via the Grants Road intersection, with entry only via Bridge Road. People will still be able to exit via the Grants Road intersection.

During the second stage, the two lanes of traffic will move to the eastern side of SH1 Evans Street. Grants Road will be closed for the duration of this stage.

This project is not about improving the SH1 Evans Street/Grants Road intersection but will ensure it is prepared for any future improvements.

We thank people in advance for their patience and understanding as we complete this necessary work. To find out more about roadworks affecting travel on state highways, you can visit our Journey Planner site.

Journey Planner(external link)