The long and winding road through the South Canterbury capital of Timaru will start to feel smoother from after Labour Weekend this year, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
“Some sections of SH1 through the Timaru urban area are now at the point where they need a full renewal,” says John Keenan, Maintenance Contract Manager for Waka Kotahi.
“This summer will see that work get underway. Given it is on SH1, we have organised this work for the night hours so the fewest number of road users will be affected. It will mean some localised noise for people living nearby which we will do our best to minimise. Our aim is to have the highway working as efficiently as possible around the port and through the city daytime hours.”
A number of treatment lengths are planned for this coming summer construction season, with work starting after Labour Weekend on Tuesday, 25 October with an asphalt surfacing renewal on SH1 Theodosia Street between Sophia and Dee Streets intersections.
The following week, from 31 October, SH1 Evans Street will have its asphalt surfacing renewed from the PGG Wrightson’s building northwards onto Hilton Highway to about 100m north of the Bridge Road/Jellicoe Street intersection.
In the New Year, February 2023, another asphalt surfacing renewal will be completed on SH1 Evans Street from Luxmore Road through to the BP Service Station just south of Grants Road in Waimataitai.
An intermediate section on SH1 Evans Street centred on the Grants Road intersection will also be upgraded by the Showgrounds developer, however at this stage the timing of these infill works is not confirmed. This work by separate contractors will also include the replacement of the Taitarakiki Creek culvert under Evans Street.
Further asphalt resurfacing renewals are also planned for February and March on SH1 Theodosia Street southbound between Wai-iti Road and Sefton Street East as well as on SH1 King Street from Otipua Road through to Shaw Street, says Mr Keenan.
“The night work is not only better from a road user perspective, it also improves safety for our road workers.”
As the works are planned and delivered, neighbouring property owners and businesses will be kept informed of the timing of each section of resurfacing.
Waka Kotahi Traffic and Travel map with all nationwide work noted(external link)
Canterbury updates(external link)
