Schedules have been changed for today’s planned work following a crash on State Highway 1 Weld Pass earlier this morning.

Traffic management and a brief closure have been required while emergency services responded to a two-vehicle crash which was reported just after 7am.

As a result, planned closure times for today’s slip removal works have been revised. They are now as follows:

7 September:

Drivers travelling over Weld Pass on State Highway 1 in Marlborough can expect delays tomorrow as contractors complete urgent emergency works on the route.

They will be removing a slip that has occurred at Dazzle Corner – about 500 metres from the summit of Weld Pass on its southern side.

The slip material is encroaching on the highway on a sharp bend. It needs to be removed urgently to prevent a full closure of the route.

It is also needed to keep drivers safe by ensuring they do not cross the centre line when trying to avoid it.

Because of the slip’s location and the narrowness of the road, traffic will have to be held while the slip is cleared. There is not enough room for contractors to clear the slip effectively and keep the highway open.

Three one-hour long closures are planned during the day. Stop/Go traffic management will be used after each closure to let queued traffic through.

Work schedule

Tuesday 8 September, day works

• 9am – 10am, SH1 Weld Pass CLOSED in both directions at Dazzle Corner
• 10am – 10:30am, open under stop/go
• 10.30am – 11.30am, SH1 Weld Pass CLOSED in both directions at Dazzle Corner
• 11:30am – 12 noon, open under stop/go
• 12 noon – 1pm, SH1 Weld Pass CLOSED in both directions at Dazzle Corner
• 1pm – 3pm, open under stop/go.

This work will affect all traffic travelling between Marlborough and Kaikōura and travel delays can be expected while it is ongoing. Drivers, particularly those with ferry connections in Picton, must factor this into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates this work will be disruptive for the public and is happening at short notice.

However, these are urgent works, and it is critical the slip be cleared as soon as possible. We thank the public for their patience and understanding while it is underway.

A 50km/h reduced temporary speed limit is currently in place at the site.