New resilience work is about to get underway on State Highway 1 in Marlborough, south of Blenheim at Dashwood.

NZTA Waka Kotahi contractors will be on-site from 4 February, with work expected to continue until 9 April 2025.

They will raise the height of the road to minimise future flooding and complete drainage improvements.

Wayne Oldfield, Marlborough system manager, said the 500m section of state highway between Awatere Valley Road and the Awatere Bridge is prone to flooding.

“Making these improvements and increasing the highway’s resilience will help keep the road open in bad weather, and ensure people, products, and places remain connected on this busy arterial route.

“It means the transport network will be stronger and better prepared for any future disruption,” he said.

The work on the three-lane section of the state highway will be carried out in stages.

Stage 1 will see the start of new drainage works alongside the highway. During Stage 2, one lane of the highway will remain open under a stop/go traffic management 24/7 and a 30km/h temporary speed limit. For Stage 3, two lanes will be open under a 30km/h temporary speed limit.

Keeping the road open while work is done is particularly important given the Marlborough grape harvest will be underway.

The work is funded by the Crown Resilience Programme.

“The fund is about covering the cost of resilience improvements on the state highway network and minimising damage from future weather events,” said Oldfield.“Marlborough residents know only too well how big an impact floods can have. In previous years, heavy rainfall has resulted in the closure of this stretch of the highway. Investments like this can make a big difference.”

Other resilience works recently completed in Marlborough include State Highway 6 Rai Saddle and State Highway 63 at the Wash Bridge.

Works schedule

Stage 1 – 4 February to 9 April

• Drainage works undertaken in the swale alongside the highway.
• Northbound passing lane will be closed during the work activities

Stage 2 – 20 February to 13 March

• Stop/Go temporary traffic management in place from 24/7 – No work on Sundays.
• A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will be in place at the site 24/7.
• Expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

Stage 3 – 13 March  to 28 March

• State Highway 1 reopened to two lanes
• A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will be in place at the site 24/7.