Transit New Zealand
Christchurch Regional Office
Media release
15 June 2007

Important notice for road users: update on safety improvement work on SH1 north of Kaikoura

Transit New Zealand is reminding road users that the safety improvement work on State Highway 1 at Ohau Point, 26 km north of Kaikoura is causing road closures of up to two hours between 8:00am and 6:00pm each day.

“We regret any inconvenience this work may cause and we thank road users for their patience. The work on the rock face needs to be done to reduce the risk of rock falls on the highway and improve the safety for all road users on this narrow section of state highway,”Transit’s Operations Manager Southern Peter Connors says.

Work, which started on Tuesday 12 June, was expected to be completed by Thursday 21 June. However Transit is currently ahead of schedule and, provided the weather remains stable, the road may open to one lane of traffic, with only short delays, by Wednesday 20 June. Transit will keep road users informed on any changes.

As there is no suitable local detour, the road closures will affect people travelling between Kaikoura and Picton. There is an alternative route between Picton and Christchurch via the Lewis Pass which will add two hours of travel time to the journey. Road users are advised to plan their travel to coincide with the periods of time when the road is open or allow for the additional travel time.

The road will be opened at 10:00am, 12:00 noon, 2:00pm and 4:00pm for 15 minute periods, to allow traffic to pass. Transit will be monitoring traffic flows over this period.

The road will be open every night from 6:00pm until 8:00am each day and all day on Sunday 17 June.

ENDS

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