Road users may notice traffic changes happening from today as progress is made on the upgrade of the State Highway 1 Timaru Showgrounds intersection.

Contractors on behalf of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) are working on upgrading the site in Timaru between SH1/Evans Street, Grants Road and the Showgrounds Shopping Centre, following the successful completion of other necessary work at the intersection such as a major culvert replacement.

The upgrade is aimed at making it safer and easier to travel through the busy intersection, or to access the growing shopping area, while also improving efficiency and productivity. It includes a new lane, rebuilt and stronger road surfaces, enhanced traffic signals and safer crossing areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

From today, work at the intersection will continue on the western side of SH1/Evans Street while moving progressively eastward. A single lane will still operate in each direction through the work site and a 30km/h temporary speed limit will remain.

Access to the Showgrounds Shopping Centre for northbound traffic will be via Bridge Road (see map below). The shopping centre will otherwise continue to operate as usual and businesses will remain open. Vehicles will still be able to exit out of the development at the intersection as normal.

Access to Grants Road from SH1/Evans Street remains blocked off but is expected to be restored later this month.

Further traffic disruption is likely over the coming weeks with access adjustments as the project moves toward completion. People should continue to follow the traffic management and directions of signage onsite. 

The upgrade remains on to track to be complete by the middle of this year. We appreciate peoples’ patience and understanding as this work is carried out.