New resilience work recently got underway on State Highway 1 in Marlborough, south of Blenheim at Dashwood.
During this time one lane of the highway will remain open under stop/go traffic management 24/7 and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit.
The work involves raising the height of the road to minimise future flooding and complete drainage improvements.
Wayne Oldfield, Marlborough System Manager, says the 500-metre section of state highway between Awatere Valley Road and the Awatere Bridge is prone to flooding.
“Making these improvements and increasing the highway’s resilience will help keep the road open in bad weather, and ensure people, products, and places remain connected on this busy arterial route.”
“It means the transport network will be stronger and better prepared for any future disruption,” Mr Oldfield says.
The work on the three-lane section of the state highway will be carried out in stages.
Stage 1 will see the start of new drainage works alongside the highway. During Stage 2, one lane of the highway will remain open under a stop/go traffic management 24/7 and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit. For Stage 3, two lanes will be open under a 30 km/h temporary speed limit.
Keeping the road open while work is done is particularly important given the Marlborough grape harvest will soon be underway.
Mr Oldfield says the work is funded by the Crown Resilience Programme.
“The fund is about covering the cost of resilience improvements on the state highway network and minimising damage from future weather events.”
“Marlborough residents know only too well how big an impact floods can have. In previous years, heavy rainfall has resulted in the closure of this stretch of the highway. Investments like this can make a big difference,” Mr Oldfield says.
Other resilience works recently completed in Marlborough include State Highway 6 Rai Saddle and State Highway 63 at the Wash Bridge.
Stage 1 – Early February to 9 April
Stage 2 – 17 February to early March (amended from our first notice of this work)
Stage 3 – Early to late March