A 1.7km section of Thompsons Track will be closed for six weeks from 1 November so the road surface can be dug out, widened and strengthened.

Thompsons Track will be temporarily closed between Jamiesons Road and Line Road from 1 November while the rehabilitation work is completed and traffic will be able to detour around the work site using Pannetts Road, Lauriston Barrhill Road and Winchmore Lauriston Road.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager, Neil McCann said the work should be complete by Christmas.

“This section of Thompsons Track has been badly damaged as traffic volumes have increased and that damage was exacerbated during May’s floods when Dry Creek ran rampant through there.

“Closing the section completely will allow our contractors to permanently fix the site and also widen the road, and we thank motorists in advance for their patience whilst using the detour.”

The work is part of a $2.3 million road rehabilitation contract that will involve strengthening and widening parts of Thompsons Track and Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road over the next two years.

“These roads are among the most highly trafficked rural roads in our district and the rehabilitation work will significantly improve the driving conditions for road users,” Mr McCann said.