Night closures planned for Whakatu Drive

NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY Works Map and Detour Route.

 Night closures planned for State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, Nelson

18 January 2024

Essential maintenance will see State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, subject to night closures next month.

The highway will be closed between the Annesbrook Roundabout and Link Road/Raeward Roundabout for up to ten nights between 11 - 23 February.

A local road detour via Main Road Stoke will be available for all vehicles.

Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says contractors will repair the central median barriers and carry out road surface repairs, vegetation and weed control, street light repairs, and other general maintenance.

“There’s an old saying, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’, and that’s exactly what this work is about.”

 

“Whakatu Drive is a crucial transport link for Nelson and Tasman. Regular maintenance like this is the best way to avoid substantial and more expensive repairs, which take longer to complete and can potentially be an even bigger hassle for drivers, Mr Service says.

 

He says the work has been timed to happen at night to minimise disruption as much as possible.

 

“At night, there are fewer vehicles on the highway. Doing the work then makes much more sense as fewer drivers are affected. A full closure is also safer for our contractors and allows them to finish the work much faster.”

 

Mr Service recommends road users to factor the work into their travel plans.

 

“Whakatu Drive is still a main route between Nelson and Tasman. Please be aware of the work and adjust your travel accordingly, as the detours will mean slightly longer travel times.”

 

Following the completion of the night closures, contractors will continue side barrier improvement work on each side of the Nayland Road and Songer Street overbridges. These improvements will help protect road users and the bridge structures in the event of a crash.

Further information about these works and associated traffic management will be provided before the work begins.

Detour Routes:

• People travelling to Nelson Airport or businesses on Quarantine Road will detour via Parkers Road and Pascoe Street.
• Access from Nelson Airport to the city will be via Quarantine Road, but temporary speed restrictions and traffic management will be in place.
• The shared path next to the highway will remain open for cyclists and pedestrians in both directions.
• The local road detour via Main Road Stoke has temporarily been approved by Nelson City Council for use by heavy vehicles.
• This detour is expected to add up to 10 minutes to travel times.

 

Works Schedule:

• 11 - 23 February, 8:30 pm to 5:30 am - excluding Friday, 16 and Saturday, 17 February.
• State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, will be closed in both directions, between the Annesbrook Roundabout and Link Road/Raeward Roundabout.
• There will be other areas of work on our state highways across the top of the South during February. Please plan ahead when travelling.

Felix Marwick, Media Manager, NZTA/Waka Kotahi. 

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.