Drivers heading west from Murchison on State Highway 6 need to be ready for planned works next week at O’Sullivan’s Junction.

Contractors have been working at the site since last October. They have been making the route more resistant to slips and rockfalls, improving the resilience of State Highway 6 to the West Coast.

Next Wednesday (18 February) crews will be removing heavy rocks from above the highway to reduce the risk of this material falling on to the road.

For safety reasons, traffic will not be able to pass through the project site while this is being completed – there is potential for debris to fall into the live traffic lanes.

At 10 am, and then again at 2 pm, traffic travelling through the site can expect to be stopped in both directions for up to 25 minutes while rock removal is completed. 

It has been specifically timed to reduce disruption and inconvenience for road users and residents.

Outside of this time, the current traffic management in place will apply – 30 km/h temporary speed limit and stop/go traffic management.

The work is weather-dependent, and Thursday (19 February) has been set aside as a contingency day if wet weather should occur.

Traffic can expect delays while the rock removal is completed. Drivers should time their travel to avoid this work period if possible or allow extra time for their journeys. 

Works schedule:

Wednesday, 18 February - Traffic holds for up to 25 minutes at 10 am and then again at 2 pm for rock removal works.

More information:

This work is funded from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).

The O’Sullivan’s Junction site is one of two resilience projects currently being worked on in Tasman. The other is at the Granity Narrows on SH6 between Kawatiri and Owen Junction.

The projects will help reduce the danger rockfalls pose to drivers as well as improve the overall reliability and resilience of the highway – a critical transport link between the West Coast and the Top of the South Island.