Nelson residents, State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, resurfacing begins this Friday

Residents and regular users of State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, need to be prepared for road closures, with substantial resurfacing work getting underway as of this Friday.

3 November 2022 update:

There will also be work underway on State Highway 6, Richmond Deviation, this weekend.

On Sunday, 6 November, between 6 am – 9am, the road will be closed while resurfacing works at the southern and northern ends are completed. 

We are doing this work now as we have additional resources available and it allows us to clear all local works at once, minimising future disruptions for residents and road users

The Tasman District Council has temporarily approved the following detour route for all vehicles, including HPMV’s:

• Northbound traffic, turn right off Gladstone Road at the McGlashen Avenue traffic lights onto McGlashen Avenue, continue onto Talbot Street, turn left onto Salisbury Road, then follow the detour via Main Road Stoke back to SH6. 
• For southbound traffic, the reverse applies.

SH6 road closure and detour locations.

Traffic delays are likely and road users should factor this into their travel times. Drivers are also asked to follow all traffic management directions and posted speed limits.

2 November 2022:

Closure details:

• The closure will be between Annesbrook Roundabout and the Salisbury Link Road/Raeward Roundabout, Richmond.
• State Highway 6 Whakatu Drive will be closed entirely from 8pm Friday 4 November to 5.30am Monday 7 November. This is for the resurfacing work      
• It will then have night closures between 8pm and 5.30am from Monday 7 November to Thursday 10 November. This allows the route to be swept and new road markings put in place.

SH6 road closure and detour locations.

State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, will be fully closed this weekend to allow the work to be done when traffic volumes are at their lowest, and to allow contractors to get the work done as swiftly as possible. Without a full closure, and under stop/go traffic management, this work would take around three weeks to complete.

While the work is underway, Main Road Stoke has been temporarily approved for all vehicles for the duration of the closure. Road users are encouraged to allow extra time for their travel as there will be more vehicles using the local road network.

Temporary speed restrictions will be in place on Whakatu Drive State Highway 6 while it is open to traffic during the day. It’s vital for the safety of both drivers and road crews that they are obeyed as there may be loose chip on the road. Please be patient and bear with us while our road crews finish this essential work.

Waka Kotahi has also been in touch with the organisers of the Nelson Half Marathon scheduled for Sunday, 6 November. The planned roadworks on State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, will not affect this event. The shared path as part of the course will remain open, and sealing will be carried out on the far side of the road during the event.