Update 6 June 2024
Drivers travelling between Picton and Blenheim on State Highway 1 must be ready for stop/go traffic controls at the Picton Elevation tomorrow (Friday, 7 June) as contractors asphalt the highway.
The traffic management will be in place between 6 am and 7 pm and includes a temporary speed limit of 30 km/h. For safety reasons, drivers must obey this speed when travelling through the work site.
Road users, especially those with Picton ferry bookings, should be prepared for delays of up to 15 minutes. Please allow extra time for your travel.
SH1 repairs, Picton Elevation
Once the asphalting is complete, contractors will carry out line marking, and the highway will be reopened to all three lanes by Saturday morning.
To ensure the safety of all road users, a temporary speed limit of 70km/h will remain in place until a layer of chipseal can be applied when the weather is warmer.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks the public for their patience and cooperation as these essential state highway repairs are completed.
Due to the complexity of this site and its previous groundwater issues, contractors will continue to monitor this section of State Highway 1.
Update 29 May 2024
These works have been extended and stop/go traffic management will remain in place until 5pm Friday 31 May (day and night).
Drivers with Picton ferry connections on Friday, 31 May, should allow up to an hour extra travel time. This is because of expected heavier traffic on the road ahead of King’s Birthday weekend.
Outside of this time, delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected when travelling on State Highway 1 between Picton and the State Highway 62 junction at Spring Creek
Ongoing monitoring has detected additional ground water at the site. Contractors are working hard to address this issue quickly and safely.
Because of this issue, the site will remain at two lanes, under a temporary speed limit of 30 km/h over King’s Birthday weekend.
Update 28 May 2024
Drivers travelling between Picton and Blenheim must plan for delays tomorrow (Wednesday, 29 May) as contractors continue the final stages of repairs to State Highway 1 at the Picton Elevation.
Stop/go traffic management will remain in place tomorrow following planned works tonight.
The stop/go nightworks for tomorrow night (Wednesday) will also proceed as planned.
It means State Highway 1 will be under stop/go traffic management at the Picton Elevation from tonight until 6 am on Thursday morning.
Road users can expect delays of up to 20 minutes and are urged to allow more time for their travel. This is especially important for drivers with Picton ferry connections.
For your safety, there will be a 30 km/h temporary speed limit in place at the works site. It's important for all drivers to observe this speed limit and follow all instructions from road crews. Safety is the priority.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks road users for their patience and cooperation while these essential state highway repairs are completed.
Updates on the highway’s status can be found on the Journey Planner website:
Highway conditions – Nelson/Marlborough(external link)
22 May 2024
The finishing touches are about to be applied as contractors complete repairs on a slow vehicle lane just south of Picton.
Work at the site has been ongoing since the beginning of the year, with the highway being repaired after it was damaged by changes in groundwater flows.
Work crews will be doing four nights of stop/go works between 7 pm and 6 am from Monday, 27 until Thursday, 30 May. They will be milling the road’s surface and preparing it for resurfacing.
Contractors will work mainly within the two northbound lanes, leaving the southbound lane open. Stop/go traffic controls and a temporary 30 km/h speed restriction will be in place.
Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes while these night works are underway and should allow extra time for their travel. Road users with ferry connections in Picton must factor it into their travel plans.
Stop/Go controls will only be in place at night, and State Highway 1 will be open in both directions during the day.
Weather permitting, all temporary traffic management will be removed from the site and all three lanes will be reopened on Friday, 31 May when the project is completed.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience and cooperation as contractors work hard to complete these essential state highway repairs.
