SH1 road works big disruption

Expect delays, NZTA warns

THE NZ Transport Agency is urging drivers to be patient with delays over the next six weeks as it hopes to complete a ‘‘significant’’ programme of road works on State Highway 1 in Otago before Christmas.

NZTA system manager Graeme Hall said there would be a lot of work in that time, especially on the highway between Palmerston and Milton.

‘‘Last season with weather and other factors we didn’t get it all complete, so we’ve carried forward some projects.

‘‘With that in mind our supplier is trying to get the majority of that work done prior to Christmas.’’

The work would cause disruptions, so the agency advised drivers to ‘‘be patient and allow plenty of time,’’ he said.

‘‘They can go on to the website which lists the works that will have some reasonable delays.’’

Most of the programme had already begun.

Asphalt resurfacing in Dunedin’s oneway system had started, but there would be more work to come, he said.

‘‘We’ve already completed Cumberland St by the BP Station. We’re undertaking the majority at night where we can.’’

Four crews in Palmerston, Patmos Ave on the Dunedin Northern Motorway, Balclutha and SH8 near Lawrence would also be working on granular overlay where the pavement was worn or bumpy.

Another project throughout this period was the treatment of cracked or worn pavement on SH1 between Oamaru and Balclutha. Flood damage between Palmerston and Waihola was being fixed.

Resealing work would need to be done on SH83 between Kurow and Pukeuri and on SH1 between Oamaru and Balclutha.

The Beaumont Bridge would need deck plank replacement and maintenance and the Shag River Bridge, north of Palmerston, would need concrete cracks sealed to stop water getting in, he said.

‘‘The public will be notified ahead of time as there will be short road closures.’’

Plus there would also be delays from Dunedin’s Waikouaiti water main renewal, the NZTA’s oneway streets cycleway project and Southern Motorway Safety Improvements.