Just over one kilometre of State Highway 1 between Blenheim and Picton is in line for a New Year spruce-up, beginning early next month.

Contractors will complete a rebuild of the highway just north of Spring Creek, beginning Monday, 12 January, and continuing until the end of March. Work will be underway Mondays to Saturdays, between 7 am and 6 pm.

Contractors will remove the top layer of the road, improve the road’s base, then lay new gravel and apply new chipseal.

The result will be an improved and more durable section of State Highway 1 – a stretch of road that carries, on average, more than 7,000 vehicles every day.

While the highway will remain open while the work is underway, it will be under stop/go traffic management during work hours, and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit will apply 24/7.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes when travelling through the roadworks site. Travellers, particularly those with Picton ferry connections, should factor this into their travel plans.

Drivers are asked to follow all traffic management and speed limits in place. They are there to keep road crews and drivers safe. They also help prevent damage to the road’s surface and to vehicles.

These works are weather-dependent, and schedules may change if bad weather occurs. Road rebuilds and resurfacing require warm, dry conditions to be effective.

Works schedule

• Monday, 12 January to Tuesday, 31 March. Mondays to Saturdays, 7 am - 6 pm.
• SH1 Spring Creek – stop/go traffic management during work hours and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at all times.
• Expect delays of up to 10 minutes.