Maintaining the resilience of a critical highway link will see night-time closures and day-time stop/go traffic management of SH60 over the Tākaka Hill later this month.

Rob Service, system manager, Top of the South at Waka Kotahi, said doing the maintenance work now ensures the Tākaka Hill will be in tip-top condition for the busy Christmas holiday period.

Between Sunday, 29 October, and the morning of Friday, 24 November, the road will be closed every Sunday to Thursday between 8pm and 5:30am with a short opening around 1 am for queued traffic.

The highway will also be subject to daytime speed restrictions and stop/go traffic control between Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November and Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 November (weather dependent) from 6am to 6pm. During this time, drivers can expect 30-minute travel delays.

Service said there is a substantial amount of work to be done, so night closures are essential if it is to be completed as quickly as possible.

“Contractors will reseal parts of the road on both sides of the hill and carry out other maintenance work, such as clearing water channels, fixing slips and guard rails, and attending to general maintenance,” he said.

“This work is essential. It’s kind of like the maintenance you do on your house. Regular upkeep stops small jobs from becoming bigger and more expensive ones later on.”

Because of the road’s narrowness and to keep contractors safe, the road will be closed at night while the work is done. It will allow contractors to complete their work faster.

Service said that while the closures and day-time speed restrictions will be inconvenient for road users, they are essential.

“Some of this work, such as chip sealing, must be done during the day when conditions are warm and dry. But we realise travel over the Tākaka Hill is vital for residents and local businesses, which is why we are ensuring there will be day-time access on the route,” he said.

“It’s also important people obey speed limits in road work areas and follow the instructions of our contractors. It is all about keeping everyone, both road crews and drivers, safe.”

Drivers can expect delays when crossing the Tākaka Hill and should factor this into their travel plans.

Night closures

• The closure will be in place between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka and will run from 29 October to 24 November.
• The closures will be between 8pm and 5:30am.
• The road will open once each night around 1am for traffic at two road closure points.
• Vehicles travelling over the hill need to be at the Aaron Creek Road closure point by 12:30am or at the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by 1 am.

Daytime Stop/Go traffic controls

• Day time stop/go traffic management will be in place between Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November and Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 November.
• It will run from 6am to 6pm.
• Drivers should plan ahead and expect 30-minute delays.