Southland drivers are being advised of several scheduled roadworks and closures this week, as well as key dates for upcoming summer maintenance across the region’s highways. Highways South confirmed this will be the final update of the year, with all crews taking a break from 19 December to 5 January.
A major closure will impact State Highway 1 (East Road) between Clapham Road and Kennington Road. The road will be closed from 5am to 9pm on 16, 17, and 18 December to allow for essential bridge maintenance. It will reopen overnight.
Detour routes during the closure include:
• Heavy vehicles and HPMV: Kennington Roslyn Bush Rd – Fairweather Rd – Mill Rd North (and reverse)
• Kennington business access: Clapham Road (from the west side only)
• Light vehicles eastbound: Kennington Roslyn Bush Rd – Fairweather Rd – Mill Rd North
• Light vehicles westbound: Kennington Rd – Clapham Rd – SH1
Renewal works currently under way or beginning this week include:
• SH1 Bluff Highway – final jobs to be completed, short delays expected
• SH94 at The Key – sealing mostly complete, remaining tasks continue this week
• SH90 Waikaka Valley Highway – drainage and shoulder prep for January works
• SH96 Nightcaps-Ohai and SH96 Winton-Hedgehope – similar preparation works
Delays of 5–10 minutes can be expected at all active sites.
Other maintenance works planned include pavement repairs and tree maintenance, with stop-go traffic controls or temporary lights on SH1 and SH93. Roadmarking is under way on a number of key stretches under mobile traffic management.
From 5 January, several renewal projects will begin, including:
• SH90 Waikaka Valley Highway
• SH96 Winton-Hedgehope and Winton-Wreys Bush highways
• SH94 Te Anau-Milford Highway
• SH1 Waipahi Highway – dates still to be confirmed
In the Southland district, extended closures and one-lane traffic are scheduled:
• Rimu Road: traffic lights in place until March 2026, with a break from 20 December to 5 January
• Te Anau Terrace: closed briefly for New Year’s Eve fireworks (11.30pm to 12.30am)
• Limehills: several road closures from 13 to 31 January for roadside ditch cleaning
• Dipton Castlerock Road: full closure from 19 January to 30 April for bridge replacement
• Happy Valley Road: proposed closure on 31 January for a gravel hill climb event
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow for delays, and check the NZTA Journey Planner for live updates.