Delays for drivers as night-time repair crews deal with damage from wet winter

Roading repair crews will be out at night in the coming weeks to deal to damage from a wet winter, and drivers can expect delays.

Repairs include work on slips, blocked culverts, scouring, damage to water tables, rockfall and surfacing defects, Waka Kotahi Central Otago maintenance contract manager Peter Standring says.

“While today marks the start of spring, we are still feeling the impact of winter on our roads and are not over the worst of the weather with fronts on the way this weekend. It has been a particularly challenging winter, resulting in multiple minor issues across our network.

“The most effective way to tackle this is to include some night works to limit the impact to daytime road users, starting this weekend.”

Several road work sites will be set up along the Kawarau Gorge and on the Jack’s Point to Kingston highway starting from Sunday, September 4.

While there are no full closures planned, stop/go controls will be in operation and traffic will be reduced to a single lane with pilot vehicles in place to escort through some areas. 

"Drivers are asked to build in extra time and take care around road crews and traffic managers. 

"Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience while these essential repairs take place."

• Jack’s Point to Kingston Road, SH6, Sunday, September 4 to Wednesday, September 7, 8pm to 5.30 am. 
• Kawarau Gorge, SH6, Sunday, September 11 to Wednesday, September 14, 9pm to 5.30am.