Update 4 December:

There is good news for night-time travellers between Marlborough and Canterbury, with maintenance works for State Highway 1 Weld Pass finished ahead of schedule.

Originally, the nightworks were scheduled to run until 5 December.

However, contractors have managed to complete planned maintenance and resurfacing works early.

It means no further night closures are required on the route this week.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks drivers for their patience and consideration over the last two weeks while this critical state highway maintenance has been underway.

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27 November

The start time for tonight’s planned maintenance closure of State Highway 1 Weld Pass has been delayed until 1 am tomorrow morning.

The closure time has been rescheduled as a result of the fatal crash that closed State Highway 1 north of Kaikoura this afternoon.

It will allow traffic delayed by today’s crash closure to be cleared, and to travel on State Highway 1 between Marlborough and Kaikoura.

However, the highway remains closed between Blenheim and Kaikoura while the Police Serious Crash Unit investigates, and there is no estimated time for when it may reopen.

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25 November

Drivers travelling on State Highway 1 between Blenheim and Kaikoura are warned to expect short delays when travelling through Weld Pass today.

Contractors were unable to complete an area of resurfacing on the route during a planned closure last night. Because the section of road is unfinished, it will remain under stop/go traffic controls while the contractor continues work at the site until mid-afternoon today.

It is then expected to reopen in both directions, ahead of the further planned night closure due to start at 7 pm tonight.

Drivers can expect ten-minute delays at the stop/go site and should allow extra time for their journeys.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi apologises for any inconvenience this causes.

Contractors will carry out further repairs to this section of the highway during tonight’s closure, and the site will be open to two lanes, under a 30 km/h temporary speed limit tomorrow.

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11 November

Regular users of State Highway 1 in Marlborough are reminded to be ready for planned night closures on Weld Pass later this month.

Night works and closures are planned for the route from Sunday, 23 November to Friday, 5 December. Work will be carried out nightly between 7pm and 5am. Contractors will lay just under 3,500 m2 of asphalt to strengthen the road surface of Weld Pass. This will include milling/removing the old surface, before adding new layers.

They will also complete other maintenance work including culvert works, clearing drains, fixing/replacing signs, and clearing vegetation.

Closure required

Because the highway through Weld Pass is narrow and has limited space, it must be closed to all traffic while the work is completed.

Resurfacing work and laying asphalt uses large machinery and traffic cannot pass through the work site while this work is underway.

A full closure is safer for road crews and the public and allows the work to be finished much faster. Doing this work during the day under stop/go, when there is more traffic would take much longer to complete.

While there will be a midnight opening each night to allow queued traffic through the work site the closure will create delays for people travelling between Blenheim and Christchurch.

Plan ahead

It is essential drivers are aware of the closure and factor it into their travel plans as there are no there are no suitable local road detours,

The only alternative route between Christchurch and Blenheim is the inland route – Lewis Pass, Murchison, St Arnaud – a much longer route.

Drivers, especially those with Picton ferry connections must be prepared, and allow for extra travel time.

Drivers also need to be aware that other essential state highway maintenance work will be underway in Marlborough in the lead up to Christmas. Road users should plan ahead and check the NZTA Journey Planner.

More maintenance work is planned for Weld Pass in the New Year but will be conducted under stop/go traffic management.

Other works

Drivers also need to be aware of other work being done by the Marlborough District Council that has the potential to affect travel times on State Highway 1.

The watermain on the Taylor River Bridge (SH1) is to be replaced with council contractors on carrying out night works (Sun - Thurs, 7:30pm – 5:30am) on site from 9 November until 12 December.

Stop/Go traffic management will be used, and drivers can expect 10-minute delays while this work is underway.

Taylor River Bridge night works (Marlborough District Council)(external link)

Works schedule

• Sunday, 23 November to Friday, 5 December, 7 pm to 5 am. No work on the night of Saturday, 29 November.
• Full road closure - no suitable local road detours available. An alternative route to Christchurch is via the inland route – St Arnaud, Murchison, Lewis Pass. This is a significantly longer route and has much longer travel times.
• There will be one opening each night at midnight to let queued traffic through the work area. The northbound lane will travel first, followed by the southbound lane.
• These works are weather-dependent, and schedules may change.
• Road users must follow the instructions of contractors and obey all temporary speed limits and traffic controls.

Works location

Weld Pass night closures map(external link)