NZ Transport Agency advice if you’re travelling between Picton and Christchurch

If you’re travelling between Picton and Christchurch over the next week the NZ Transport Agency advises you to check real-time travel information at www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c at least two hours before you travel.

NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager Tresca Forrester says that both State Highway 1 (SH1) and the alternate route (via state highways 63, 6, 65 and 7 through Lewis Pass) will be at their peak over the next week.

“We’re now in one of the busiest periods of the year on all our roads as people move around over the holidays. We expect overall journey time to remain at around 5 ½ hours between Christchurch and Picton on SH1 but the volume of traffic will dictate the delay through the one lane work sites manned by Stop/Go controls. So make sure you allow plenty of time, especially if you’re catching a ferry or are on a tight schedule.”

Over the summer holiday season, traffic is usually at its daily peak between 11am and 4pm, so travelling outside of those times is advisable. However, those travelling on SH1 will need to make sure they allow enough time to be clear of the two sections that close at 8.30pm every night so they can continue on their journey. The closure sections are (north of Kaikōura) between Clarence and Mangamaunu and (south of Kaikōura) between Goose Bay and Peketa. Both areas will re-open each day at 7am once crews have completed a safety check.

The alternate route (via Lewis Pass) remains a reliable 24/7 option for travel between Picton and Christchurch with journey time expected to be around 6 ½ hours.

“We ask all drivers to please be patient when using SH1 and the alternate route. On SH1 there will be trucks, cars, campervans and towing vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists all sharing the road, parts of which will be unfamiliar to previous users due to the earthquake reinstatement work that’s been undertaken. Police will be operating along the corridor to help everyone stay safe.”

For real-time travel information and details on SH1 and the alternate route via Lewis Pass go towww.nzta.govt.nz/p2c or call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49). The Transport Agency recommends drivers check information at least two hours before travel and at key decision points along the route. Electronic signs displaying real-time information will also be positioned along the routes.

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