People need to add an extra hour to their journey when driving between Cromwell and Queenstown on Wednesday afternoon.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) warns motorists that blasting to clear loose rocks will create long delays at the Nevis Bluff between 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday, May 29.

NZTA maintenance and contract manager in Central Otago Peter Standring said blasting the unstable rock about 40 metres above SH6 is vital to ensure the on-going safety of road users.

Roman Alty (left) and Liam Kemp scale Nevis Bluff during work to make the area safer for motorists. PHOTO: NZTA

“The difficult nature of working high above the road on the bluff means that extended traffic delays are unavoidable for everyone’s safety.”

Currently, rock scaling/removal is underway with short delays of up to 10 minutes between the two Queenstown Lakes District towns. 

Work at the site started on Monday, May 13 and was expected to continue until Friday, June 14.

The last time blasting work was done on the Nevis Bluff by NZTA was nearly six years ago in 2018.