Work to remove unstable pieces of rock on the Nevis Bluff will start on Monday, 29 August 2022, resulting in short delays for road users, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
The rocks were identified following a routine helicopter inspection by crews on Thursday this week on the SH6/Gibbston Highway bluff, between Cromwell and Queenstown.
“This highlights the importance of our monthly checks,” says Waka Kotahi Central Otago Senior Network Manager Robert Choveaux.
“This has been a particularly challenging winter in terms of multiple weather events which has led to greater instability across our entire network.
“Our Aspiring Highways crews will remove three pieces of rock which pose a safety concern to the highway. That will include rock scaling by the abseiling team and the use of airbags to remove the rock features.
To allow for the works to be completed safely, the road will be closed intermittently for 10-minute windows between 8 am and 5 pm while the crew works overhead.
This will start on Monday, aiming to have the work completed by Wednesday.
Drivers need to build in an extra ten minutes for their journey between Cromwell and Queenstown. Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience.
