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UPDATE: New Year, new road surface for State Highway 1 Spring Creek

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 23 Jan 2026 12:03pm | Nelson and Marlborough

23 January update

Changes have been made to the schedule for these works, with the final phase to be completed as nightworks under stop/go traffic management. This will reduce disruption for road users during the day when traffic volumes are higher.

Works schedule

  • 7 am Wednesday, 28 January, to 12 noon Thursday, 5 February. Day works 7 am - 6 pm.
    • Stop/go traffic management during work hours and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at all times.
  • 7 am Monday, 9 February, to 6 pm Thursday, 19 February. Day works 7 am - 6 pm.
    • Stop/go traffic management during work hours and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at all times.
  • Sunday, 22 February, to Thursday, 5 March. Night works 6 pm – 7 am
    • Stop/go traffic management during work hours and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at all times.
  • Expect 10-minute delays

5 January update

Just over one kilometre of State Highway 1 between Blenheim and Picton is in line for a New Year spruce-up, from next week.

Contractors will complete a rebuild of the highway just north of Spring Creek, beginning Monday 12 January, and continuing until the end of March. Work will be underway Mondays to Saturdays, between 7am and 6pm.

Contractors will remove the top layer of the road, improve the road’s base, then lay new gravel and apply new chipseal.

The result will be an improved and more durable section of State Highway 1 – a stretch of road that carries, on average, more than 7,000 vehicles every day.

While the highway will remain open while the work is underway, it will be under stop/go traffic management during work hours, and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit will apply 24/7. 

Drivers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes when travelling through the roadworks site. Travellers, particularly those with Picton ferry connections, should factor this into their travel plans.

Drivers are asked to follow all traffic management and speed limits in place. They are there to keep road crews and drivers safe. They also help prevent damage to the road’s surface and to vehicles.

These works are weather-dependent, and schedules may change if bad weather occurs. Road rebuilds and resurfacing require warm, dry conditions to be effective.

Works schedule

  • Monday, 12 January to Tuesday 31 March. Mondays to Saturdays, 7am - 6pm.
  • SH1 Spring Creek – stop/go traffic management during work hours and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at all times.
  • Expect delays of up to 10 minutes.
     

More information