UPDATE 8 October:

Further geotechnical and pavement testing is about to get underway in Richmond to support the detailed design of the State Highway 6/Lower Queen Street intersection improvements.

This work relates to the State Highway 6 Hope Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS).

Geotechnical assessments will be carried out during the daytime, off the road, meaning road users and businesses should not be significantly affected. 

Pavement testing will be carried out during the evening; residents should be prepared for some louder noise during the first three to four hours of work and road users can expect traffic management.

While the work is expected to have minimal impact on road users, it is important that drivers, residents, and businesses are aware of it and can plan accordingly.

The investigations are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled if bad weather occurs.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding while this work is completed.

Work schedule

Monday 12 October to Friday 16 October, 7:30am – 5pm (Geotechnical assessments)

• Off the road near the intersection of SH6 Gladstone Road and Lower Queen Street

Sunday 18 October to Thursday 22 October, 8pm – 5am (Pavement testing)

• Sunday 18 October – Stratford St (and adjacent)
  • Residents should park their cars off street
• Monday 19 October – Railway Reserve near Lower Queen Street
  • Railway Reserve closed 8pm – 5am. People should not park their cars on the Reserve during this evening.
• Tuesday 20 October, and Wednesday 21 October - Lower Queen Street and SH6 Gladstone Road area
  • Traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place
  • The work will coincide with Tasman District Council stormwater works on McGlashen Avenue
• Thursday 22 October - SH6 Gladstone Road and SH6 Richmond Deviation
  • Stop/go and a temporary speed limit will be in place on SH6.

13 March:

Various assessments and investigations will be underway from mid-March until late May, to help support the Hope Bypass project’s design.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi contractors will carry out ground and environmental investigations around SH6/Link Road, Richmond Deviation, the Lower Queen Street and Gladstone Road intersection, and SH6/SH60 (Three Brother’s Corner) intersection. 

Investigations will also be done on parts of the Great Taste Trail, including the Railway Reserve. 

The work involves surveying, assessing ground conditions, and carrying out baseline noise and visual assessments. 

People may notice drones in use, field staff taking samples, performing environmental checks, and operating acoustic recorders and other ecological monitoring equipment.

A drilling rig will also be used, which may generate some noise as contractors drill narrow boreholes to better understand the conditions below the surface.

The work will require shoulder closures on SH6 Richmond Deviation and around the two intersections, and cones and signage on the Great Taste Trail. 

The trail and roads will remain open. Drivers and trail users must take care around work sites and any shoulder closures and follow all temporary traffic management in place. 

This work helps us understand soil, land and environmental conditions along the route so the project can be designed using the most accurate data.

Geotechnical work will occur Monday to Saturday, between 7 am and 7 pm.

More Information:

• Hope Bypass (external link)
• Contact the project team:
  hopebypass@nzta.govt.nz