The NZ Transport Agency is advising people to expect delays of an hour on two separate days next week due to scheduled rock blasting work at the Nevis Bluff on State Highway 6. The bluff is midway between Cromwell and Queenstown.
Rock stabilisation work started on Monday, 30 October, and runs to 1 December.
The work is part of on-going safety and monitoring of the Nevis Bluff, involving abseil inspection, rock scaling and blasting to remove loose debris and unstable rock, following changes as a result of winter weather effects.
John Jarvis, Transport Agency Senior Network Manager, says that blasting of unstable rock about 120 metres above SH6 is vital to ensure the on-going safety of road users. “The difficult nature of working high above the road on the bluff means that these longer traffic delays are necessary,” he says.
Subject to weather conditions, there will be an extended traffic delay between 1 and 2pm on Tuesday, 14 November and again on 15 November, same time slot.
People travelling to Queenstown Airport, or with appointments, should aim to get through the Nevis Bluff before 1 pm on those two days, Mr Jarvis says. “The Crown Range is the alternative route into Queenstown.”
Outside the extended blast delay, safety work at the bluff will continue between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday and people are advised to build in extra time of around 10 minutes to their journey between Cromwell and Queenstown.
Work is scheduled to continue through until Friday, 1 December. Further extended blast delays will be advised with as much notice as possible.
The Nevis Bluff is 25 minutes from Cromwell, 35 minutes from Queenstown.
The Transport Agency thanks everyone for their patience and for taking care while this important safety work is completed leading into the busy festive season.
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