Residents and regular users of Racecourse Road, Walnut Avenue, Chalmers Avenue and South Street are being warned to expect more traffic on those roads while NZ Transport Agency carries out a major asphalting project on State Highway 1 from 4 April.

Detours will be in place while the highway is temporarily closed at night during the project, which is expected to run until 9 May.

Council Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said contractors would be laying structural asphalt from Moore Street to the northern end of the Ashburton River bridge. The work had been programmed to start on 30 March, but the start date is now 4 April.

“The work is being done in three stages and we are advising locals to expect delays. A lot of the work is at night, but it will likely slow down traffic during the day too.”

Traffic management includes detours, using Walnut Avenue, Chalmers Avenue and South Street, and Racecourse Road (for Methven traffic). There will also be temporary road closures, stop/go and temporary speed limits.

Drivers on SH1 are being advised to build an extra 30 minutes for travel after 8pm and to expect short delays during the day too.

Mr McCann said local drivers would likely change their driving routes during the essential road works.

“NZTA has advisory notices and signs up, but some people may find themselves caught out and on unfamiliar streets. So, please factor in some extra travel time and be patient.”

NZTA is also resealing a section of SH1 at Rangitata, at the intersection of Withells Road and Ealing Road.

Temporary traffic signals and Stop/Go will control traffic movements on a single lane from 8am until 6pm, from Monday 31 March to Monday 14 April. Drivers of lighter vehicles can take an alternative inland route between Hinds and Rangitata, or face delays of 30-60 minutes.

Learn more about the Ashburton asphalting project here.

Learn more about the Rangitata resealing here.