Overnight cold temperatures and rain have delayed the completion of a section of State Highway 1 south of Ashburton that has been rebuilt.

The section of SH1/Hinds Highway between the intersections of Thews Road and Longbeach Road has been recently reduced to a single lane of traffic, with a temporary 30km/h speed limit, while the road rebuild was underway following multiple potholes in the area after recent storms. Road users had been warned of delays of up to 45 minutes at peak times during the day, but these delays have typically been much less than this.

Work putting down a new chipseal on this section of highway was intended for earlier this week, but the recent weather conditions mean this sealing will now happen today, with the single lane and temporary speed limit remaining in operation.

The intention from tomorrow morning (Friday 25 September) is to have two lanes of traffic open again under the temporary speed limit and traffic management (cones), continuing through the weekend.

On Monday morning (28 September), it is scheduled to revert to the single lane with road users having to stop on demand, so that the new section of road can be swept and fresh line marking done on it. All going to plan, this section of SH1/Hinds Highway is expected to be fully complete and open again to two lanes without any restriction from Monday night.     

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) again thanks people for their patience and understanding while this problematic section of road is addressed for all of its users. 

17 September 2026 – Work ahead of schedule for SH1 road rebuild

With work on a road reconstruction running ahead of schedule on State Highway 1 south of Ashburton, traffic has been restored to two lanes today – ahead of the expected timing tomorrow.

The section of SH1/Hinds Highway had been reduced to a single lane of traffic since Monday, with a temporary 30km/h speed limit, while the road rebuild is underway following multiple potholes in the area after recent storms. Road users had been warned of delays of up to 45 minutes at peak times during the day.

The section of highway between the intersections of Thews Road and Longbeach Road is now back to two lanes of traffic, but the temporary reduced speed limit remains.

From 6am on Monday 21 September, only a single lane of traffic will be available again, with road users having to stop on demand. This is expected to remain until Wednesday next week (23 September) while the new chipseal on the highway beds in. The road is expected to be complete and fully reopened again on Thursday (24 September).

The schedule above is subject to weather conditions, and any changes will be notified.

11 September 2026 – Rebuild of damaged SH1 section to impact travel

A section of State Highway 1/Hinds Highway south of Ashburton that has been badly affected by potholes after recent storms will be rebuilt from next week, but it will mean delays for road users.

Road users will have to stop on demand from 6am on Monday 14 September, through to 6am Friday 18 September, while only a single lane is available and a temporary 30km/h speed limit is in place on SH1 between the intersections of Thews Road and Longbeach Road. People can expect delays of up to 45 minutes during the day at peak times, and up to 20 minutes at night, and so planning ahead and allowing more travel time is strongly encouraged.

While these delays will be disruptive, the payoff is that the improvement/future-proofing of the highway will be significant. The stabilisation, rebuild of the road and new chipseal will make it more durable and resistant to rutting and potholes that became widespread after a heavy rain event in July when water infiltrated the road seal.

From 6am on Friday 18 September through to 6am Monday 21 September, this section of highway will be restored to two lanes but with the 30km/h speed limit still in place.

From 6am on Monday 21 September, a single lane will operate again with road users having to stop on demand. From Tuesday 22 September onwards, people can expect two lanes of traffic to be restored but the temporary speed limit reduction will remain in place for a couple of days while the new chipseal on the highway beds in.

Access to properties may be affected at times but roading crews will be able to assist with specific needs. The work is being done from next week because the weather forecasts suggest a window of suitable weather. If the weather or other factors require a change to the schedule, notification will be provided.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) thanks people for their patience and understanding while this important work is completed.