There are two significant highway reconstruction sites in Mid-Canterbury currently - in Ashburton near the bridge and south of Ashburton at Ealing (north of the Rangitata River).

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) encourages people driving south of Christchurch through Mid-Canterbury over Easter and Anzac week to be aware of the hours these two sites will have active work underway, with work sites reduced where possible so people are not unnecessarily held up.

From tomorrow, NZTA is anticipating higher than normal traffic volumes southbound out of Christchurch and through Mid-Canterbury Thursday afternoon 17 April into Easter, with people returning north after Easter and also after Anzac Weekend. 

SH1 Ashburton – asphalt surfacing between Moore and South Streets, SH1

Nighttime road closures: Detours are in place overnight, 8 pm to 6 am, for the next two weeks, weather permitting, then onto night-time Stop/Go for the following week.  NZTA is still aiming to have this work complete by 9 May, with good progress to date - 3000 square metres of highway re-surfaced.

Another shift is planned for Ashburton tonight (Wednesday, 16 April), then crews will be back Monday or Tuesday night after Easter, bearing in mind the weather forecast may restrict work next week.

Updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/canterbury/warnings/503099

SH1 Ealing – road construction - two lanes restored for Easter and Anzac

The Ealing resurfacing site will be back to two lanes over the Easter/ANZAC break with temporary speed limits in place from midday tomorrow (Thursday, 17 April). (See red road cone below for location.) 

The single lane operation, 24/7, under traffic signals starts up again Monday, 28 April, the start of the new school term, through to Friday, 9 May. 

Access to Ealing and Withells Rds from SH1 will remain closed over the Easter and Anzac break until work is complete.

Updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/canterbury/roadworks/503384 

Road closures for Anzac Day services in Ashburton – detours will be in place, follow signs

Temporary road closures will be in place for Anzac Day ceremonies at the Cenotaph at Baring Square West on 25 April. The civic service and wreath-laying ceremony at Baring Square West starts at 11am.

Roads to close from 6am-8.30am, and from 10am-12.30pm, are:

• West Street (SH1) from Havelock Street to Cameron Street
• Havelock Street from Park Street to East Street
• Cameron Street from West Street to Park Street
• Baring Square West from Havelock Street to Cameron Street
• https://www.ashburtondc.govt.nz/news/2025-news/council-services-over-easter-and-anzac-day-2025
• Fairlie and Geraldine also have Anzac Day services so expect minor traffic detours.

Other holiday travelling tips for drivers

• Coffee, snacks and toilet breaks will help you refresh and arrive relaxed.
• Share the driving if you can. If you are a front seat passenger, watch for fatigue if your driver is doing longer hours.
• Check your vehicle is warranted and registered and plan for things like a flat tyre or very bad weather by checking the spare tyre and jack, the windscreen-wipers and carrying spare blankets and torches.
• Follow the speed limits and drive to the conditions. If the weather is stormy, slow down, turn on your lights if they are not automatic and watch your following distances.
• If you are towing a trailer or caravan, check behind you and be prepared to pull over at a safe spot to let others pass from time to time.

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