NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has identified a range of ‘hotspots’ throughout Otago as part of an exercise looking at holiday traffic flows.

The Holiday Journeys prediction tool has identified likely holiday traffic flow across key journeys based on previous years’ travel patterns.

While you may not be able to alter where you are driving these holidays, you can tweak your leaving times to avoid the busiest times to get there, Waka Kotahi Otago and Southland journey manager Nicole Felts said.

One place where there will be short delays in Otago is at the single lane Beaumont Bridge on SH8, which is controlled by traffic signals.

The delays are due to the construction of the new bridge near the existing bridge with separate approaches being built and a detour around the site. 

Read more: New signals for Beaumont bridge

Heavy traffic is fairly predictable on SH8 between Alexandra and Cromwell and SH6 around Queenstown/Wānaka, Nicole said.

SH8 at Tarras is also predicted to see heavy traffic through until early January.

Roadworks update

Waka Kotahi road crews are now taking a break through until Wednesday January 4.

Once roadworks resume, short delays can be expected on SH6 between Cromwell and Luggate for the Kidd Creek area rehabilitation from January 9 for four weeks.

NZTA said a record road renewal and resealing season is underway over the country from October to March, covering 2,450 lane kilometres - ten per cent or so of the total highway network. Some regions have 70 per cent or more of their programme to complete after Christmas, which will mean more roadworks than usual over the next few months as teams work to complete their programmes.

“Warmer spring and summer months are the best time for road resurfacing as daylight hours are longer and the warm temperatures and dry air help the new seal stick to the road surface. Unfortunately, this also coincides with holiday journeys,” NZTA said in a statement to media.

In many areas the wet early summer means more activity with road crews working nights as well as days. NZTA advised if people are driving long distances around the South Island these summer holidays, add an hour to the usual journey time.

NZTA advised people to stick to the speed limits and be patient when driving through roadwork sites; slow down; leave space (about two car lengths between you and the car in front); be patient; drive to the conditions - the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads; and take regular breaks.

The Waka Kotahi Journey Planner includes worksites, area warnings, traffic and travel updates, and state highway roadworks information.

The Central App’s road reports provide the latest updates on road conditions in Central Otago.