South Island Road Report
It is going to be a wet, wet, wet King’s Birthday Weekend for top of the South highways
The bad weather will coincide with the end of the holiday weekend and expected increased traffic volumes.
It means drivers will need to take extra care on the roads, particularly on the highways that are set to be most affected by the bad weather:
- SH60 – Motueka to Collingwood
- SH6 – Hira to Havelock
- SH63 – Wairau Valley
Wet weather driving conditions will be present. Road users must drive appropriately – reduce their speed, increase their following distances, and be prepared for the possibility of slips, rockfalls, and localised flooding.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi Traffic Bulletin: Lane changes ahead on State Highway 6 Rocks Road as resilience works ramp up
Lane changes ahead on State Highway 6 Rocks Road as resilience works ramp up
Nelson drivers and cyclists need to be ready for changes to the road layout on State Highway 6 Rocks Road, with resilience works ramping up from early June.
Changes will begin from Sunday, 7 June and continue until November as part of ongoing work to reduce slip and rockfall risk on the cliff face on the route.
Temporary traffic management will be set up on Rocks Road from the Basin Reserve for approximately 300 metres towards Tahunanui.
Night closures:
During June, the southbound lane on SH6 Rocks Road near The Cliffs will be closed Sunday to Thursday nights, between 7 pm and 6 am.
Stop/go traffic lights and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit will be in place to ensure the safety of all road users.
From Sunday, 21 June, a crane will be on site to lift contractors into place allowing them to drill anchor holes in the middle band of the cliff face before shotcrete is applied.
The night-time lane closures are required to ensure the safety of all road users and contractors.
Work schedule:
Daytime temporary traffic management
- Sunday, 7 June until November
o Both road lanes will shift towards the seaside of the road between The Basin Reserve and Magazine Point.
o No access to the cycle lane in the work zone.
o A 30 km/h temporary speed limit will apply at all times.
o The footpath will remain open to pedestrians at all times.
Nightworks
· Sunday, 7 June until Thursday, 2 July (no work on Friday or Saturday nights). 7 pm – 6 am (weather permitting)
- State Highway 6 Rocks Road – southbound lane closure between the Basin Reserve and Magazine Point.
- Stop/go traffic lights and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit
- Expect delays of up to 10 minutes

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