Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes highways have a big season of summer maintenance and repairs ahead, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says.

Sixty kilometres of highway will be resealed between November 7 and December 16 and crews will pick up again after the Christmas break and continue through to mid-March.

“It may well be the biggest construction period for the two districts in many seasons,” NZTA maintenance contract manager Peter Standring said.

Aspiring Highways, on behalf of NZTA, will be delivering the road reconstruction and resurfacing projects, with the summer timing selected because the warmer temperatures and dry air help new seals stick as intended to the road surface, plus the longer daylight hours. 

“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,” Peter said.

“There are also a number of third-party, privately-funded projects underway adjoining or on the highway, adding to the number of road crews people will encounter.” 

Residents in places getting high impact highway work should expect to hear about the work in advance through direct letterbox newsletter updates or a chat with the project team.

 Projects will be coordinated with district councils and other third party construction companies wherever possible to minimise conflicts.

Peter reminded drivers that road crew members appreciate a friendly wave and people slowing down to the posted speed limit near work sites. 

“Our crews work in all weathers and do their best to make their sites as safe as possible for everyone, including themselves.”

The NZTA ‘Traffic and Travel’ page is a good place to check your route before you head off for any planned work sites, he said.