MEDIA RELEASE
17 April 2018 | SOUTHERN REGION
State Highway 1 north and south of Kaikōura to reopen for night time travel from Monday, 30 April
The NZ Transport Agency confirms that State Highway 1 (SH1) between Picton and Christchurch will re-open for night-time
travel from Monday, 30 April.
Transport Agency Earthquake Recovery Manager Tim Crow says 24-hour operation has been the main focus since the road
reopened in daytime hours in December and is an important milestone for all road users and residents.
“We’ve delivered an extensive construction programme over the last year and the critical safety work will soon be
complete. More than 30,000 square metres of steel mesh has been wrapped around slips south of Kaikōura and new
infrastructure such as bridges and seawalls has been built to the north.
“All of this construction work is designed to ensure the route stays safe and resilient for the future and we’ll be
continuing our work to finish and improve the corridor throughout 2018.”
When the highway reopens at night, people can expect to see:
• Multiple sections where traffic moves to a single lane, which will be controlled by traffic signals rather than
current daytime Stop/Go controls
• New signage including ‘no stopping’ and ‘rockfall’ signs (in addition to existing mesh and physical barriers) to
protect road users and alert them to potential danger
• Trains travelling day and night in either direction between Blenheim and Christchurch: drivers should take care at
level crossings and check both ways before proceeding
• Different types of traffic using the route including an increase in heavy vehicles, for example trucks and buses.
Cyclists are advised to only use the road during the day for their own safety – due to multiple traffic lights and
rockfall/no stopping areas
• That there will continue to be no stopping or camping in the two most earthquake-damaged areas just north and south of
Kaikōura.
The safety of road users remains a top priority, Mr Crow says.
“Road crews will be carrying out regular observations and inspections of the route throughout the night,” says Tresca
Forrester, Network Operations Manager for the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery team (NCTIR). “We’ll be
taking a proactive approach to wet weather throughout autumn and winter.
“In the event of persistent heavy rainfall, we may close the road as a precautionary measure – this can happen day or
night. So drivers need to allow plenty of time for their trip and stay up-to-date on real-time travel information
throughwww.nzta.govt.nz/p2c or by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49). We recommend checking at least two hours before travel and during your
trip.”
Until SH1 reopens on 30 April, two sections continue to be closed every night between7.30pm and 7.30am – they are (north
of Kaikōura) between Clarence and Mangamaunu and (south of Kaikōura) between Goose Bay and the SH1/Leader Road
Intersection.
• Please note: In preparation for the 30 April full opening, the south side of Kaikōura is closed for a day from tonight
(Tuesday 7.30 pm) until Thursdaymorning at 7.30 am. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/planned-one-day-closure-for-sh1-south-of-kaikoura-in-mid-april-delays-same-day-hurunui-bridge/
How to stay up to date:
• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
• Picton to Christchurch route and Kaikōura www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c
• Facebook www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland
• Twitter NZTA Canterbury/ West Coast https://twitter.com/NZTACWC
• Journey planner: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz
ends