Expected poor weather means a postponement of planned road surface work and closures for State Highway 78/Sefton Street East/Port Loop Road that were due to begin tonight.

The work, for the stretch of State Highway 78/Sefton Street East/Port Loop Road between State Highway 1/Theodosia Street and Marine Parade, is now scheduled to begin this weekend on the night of Sunday 29 March 2026, with closures in place from 9pm to 6am each night, for up to four nights. 

A detour to the port will be available via North Street, Stafford Street, Heaton Street and Hayes Street. The reverse applies for access to SH1 (see map below). Heavy vehicles can detour via King Street, Heaton Street and Hayes Street.

We thank people for their patience.

23 March, 2026 – Date adjustment for Timaru closures:

One of the three sets of upcoming state highway closures for Timaru, outlined below, is being shifted by a few days.

Night closures of the southbound lane of State Highway 1/Theodosia Street, between Elizabeth Street and North Street, for road rebuilding was due to begin from Tuesday 7 April.

The work and closures are now scheduled to take place from Friday 10 April for six night shifts, 9pm to 6am (excluding Saturday night).

A detour for southbound traffic will be in place for this SH1/Theodosia Street closure via SH78/Sefton Street East, Port Loop Road, Hayes Street, Heaton Street, Stafford Street and King Street (see map below).

20 March, 2026 – Road and bridge closures for South Canterbury work:

A series of night road closures planned in Timaru from next week will enable roading crews to complete important road rebuilds in the town. Detours will be in place in each instance (see maps below).

The work is due to begin next week with the closure of both lanes of State Highway 78/Sefton Street East/Port Loop Road between State Highway 1/Theodosia Street and Marine Parade, from 9pm to 5am, Wednesday 25 March to Sunday 29 March (excluding Saturday night).      

A detour to the port will be available via North Street, Stafford Street, Heaton Street and Hayes Street. The reverse applies for access to SH1. Heavy vehicles can detour via King Street, Heaton Street and Hayes Street.

On Monday 30 March, a southbound lane closure is scheduled on SH1/Craigie Avenue, between North Street and Catherine Street, from 9pm through to 6am the following day. The northbound lane of SH1/Craigie Avenue remains open.

A detour for southbound traffic will be in place for this SH1/Craigie Avenue closure via North Street, Stafford Street and King Street. 

Further road rebuilding is scheduled on SH1/Theodosia Street, between Elizabeth Street and North Street, requiring a southbound lane closure at 9pm to 6am each night from Tuesday 7 April to Monday 13 April. The northbound lane of SH1/Theodosia Street remains open.

A detour for southbound traffic will be in place for this SH1/Theodosia Street closure via SH78/Sefton Street East, Port Loop Road, Hayes Street, Heaton Street, Stafford Street and King Street.

In each of these phases of road rebuilding in Timaru, the work will depend on various factors such as weather and may be rescheduled. If this happens, notification will be provided. 

Road users should also be aware of a planned upcoming closure of the Upper Orari Bridge on State Highway 79. The single-lane bridge is due to be closed for resealing on Saturday 28 March from 6am to 6pm. Detours will be available via Orari and Rangitata.

We thank people for their patience while this important roading work is carried out.