Central Otago summer highway work under way
Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes District highways have a big season of summer maintenance and repairs ahead, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says.
“It may well be the biggest construction period for the two districts in many seasons,” Otago maintenance contract manager Peter Standring said.
Aspiring Highways, on behalf of Waka Kotahi, will deliver road reconstruction and resurfacing projects from now until mid-March as daylight hours increase, and the warmer temperatures and dry air help new seals stick as intended to the road surface.
“While we are pleased to have this work scheduled and people will appreciate the finished result, we ask people to take special care given the number of road crews they may come across on some key routes in and out of Central Otago and around Queenstown and Wānaka,” Standring said.
“There are also a number of third-party, privately-funded projects under way adjoining or on the highway, adding to the number of road crews people will encounter. If people can build in an extra 20 minutes to their journeys, it will help ease the pressure on everyone and reduce the temptation to make up time if there is a short delay."
Overall, 60km of highway will be resealed between November 7g and December 16.
The highways will be as free of work as possible in the lead-in to Christmas and the new year peak holiday periods when most traffic is on the roads. Resurfacing work will continue from January 23 into March, 2023.
Some work will be done overnight to minimise daytime delays. These include:
- SH6 Kawarau Gorge through to east of the Crown Range intersection
- SH6 Jack Hanley Drive intersection, Frankton/Queenstown.
- SH6 near Wāanaka Airport.
Work in the new year also includes two pavement renewal/reconstruction sites of 2km at SH8 Millers Flat and SH6 Kidd Creek.
Residents in places getting high impact highway work should receive direct updates in their letterboxes in advance.
Check your route before you travel at www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz...
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
🚒 Our Fire and Emergency crews have been kept busy lately
And they’re once again reminding everyone: please don’t light fires when it’s windy.
Central Otago will move into a restricted fire season from 1 December 2025, which means anyone planning an outdoor fire will need to apply for a permit and plan ahead.
So we’d love to ask you — how do you make sure you’re being fire-safe at this time of year?
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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