News
- Eleven road rehabilitation projects are planned for Southland highways, lasting until March.
- Upcoming road closures will be announced closer to construction dates to minimise disruptions.
- NZTA and Highways South aim to enhance road safety and driving conditions this summer.
Southland’s summer roadworks programme has begun, focusing on maintaining and upgrading key state highways across the region. With spring underway and summer approaching, these projects are being timed to take advantage of longer daylight hours, warm temperatures, and dry weather, which help new seals adhere better to road surfaces.
“Two road reconstructions are in the final stages of being completed at Wallacetown and Lowther, and another is underway on SH6 near Centre Bush. We appreciate the patience of road users while we have had traffic management at these sites,” said Justin Reid, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) in Southland. “Two more reconstruction sites near Mossburn and another near Balfour will also be underway in the next few weeks.”
The roadworks programme will include the following key projects before the season ends in March:
- SH1 Bluff highway at Kekeno Place
- SH6 Dipton-Winton highway at Centre Bush
- SH6 Five Rivers-Lumsden highway south of Five Rivers
- SH6 Athol-Five Rivers highway at Jollies Hill
- SH94 Mossburn-Lumsden highway east of Mossburn township
- SH94 Te Anau-Mossburn highway west of Mossburn
- SH94 Lumsden-Riversdale highway west of Balfour
- SH96 Glencoe highway at Brydone-Glencoe Road
- SH99 at Lorneville overbridge
- SH99 Riverton Wallacetown highway west of Wallacetown
- SH99 Main Road Tuatapere at Jenkins Road
“Major construction and resurfacing work are not possible in Southland outside of this time due to our cooler temperatures,” Reid noted. “We know that road works can be disruptive for all road users and often residents too, but these are critical reconstruction projects which will improve everyone’s journeys long-term.”
Additionally, road users in Invercargill should expect asphalting work in the New Year, with details to be finalised soon. All work is funded through the State Highway Maintenance and Pothole Prevention activity classes in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
NZTA and Highways South crews acknowledge that the work may cause disruptions and are committed to notifying the public about road closures and delays in advance. Road users can stay informed by signing up for updates through the Highways South Facebook page or contacting the team directly.
“We appreciate the patience of our community,” Reid said. “Give them a wave and keep the mood on the highways relaxed this summer.”