Residents and regular users of State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive, need to be prepared for road closures, with substantial resurfacing work being done on the route next month.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager – Wellington and Top of the South, says State Highway 6 Whakatu Drive will be closed entirely from 8 pm Friday, 4 November to 5.30 am Monday, 7 November. It will then have night closures between 8 pm and 5.30 am from Monday, 7 November, to Thursday, 10 November.
The closure will be between Annesbrook Roundabout and the Salisbury Link Road/Raeward Roundabout, Richmond.
“This work is being done in two parts. From 8 pm 4 November to 5.30 am 7 November, the route will be completely closed while contractors resurface the road. Then, from 7-9 November, there will be further night closures as the route is swept and new road markings are done”, Mr Owen says.
SH6 road closure and detour locations
Mr Owen says every effort is being made to cause as little disruption as possible.
“We are closing the road fully over the weekend to do the resurfacing work when traffic numbers are at their lowest. A full closure also means road crews can get the job done in the shortest possible time. If we did this during the day with the road open under traffic management, this work would take us 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.
Mr Owen says temporary speed restrictions will be in place on Whakatu Drive State Highway 6 while it is open to traffic during the day. and 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.
“We realise roadworks can be a hassle for road users. However, maintaining roads helps prevent costlier, longer, and more inconvenient repairs later on. Please be patient and bear with us while we get this essential work done.”
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.
