New roundabouts and easier journeys coming for State Highway 6 in Marlborough

New roundabouts are coming in the New Year for Marlborough on State Highway 6, between Woodbourne and Springlands.

From Tuesday, 16 January to Friday, 24 May, construction will start on a new roundabout on State Highway 6 at the intersection of Bells and St Leonards roads.

A second roundabout is planned for the intersection of Tancred Crescent and State Highway 6 near Marlborough Airport. The timing for construction of this roundabout is still being finalised.

Jetesh Bhula, Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, says the new roundabouts are about making it easier for everyone to get around – locals, visitors, and freight operators.”

“Once complete, drivers using the new roundabouts will have a much easier time of getting through these intersections. It’ll be easier for drivers to turn across oncoming traffic, and drivers entering from side roads will no longer have to wait so long to turn onto State Highway 6. It’s a win-win scenario for drivers.”

Mr Bhula says not only will the roundabouts make for easier journeys and better access to the highway, but they will also make the intersections safer.

“Because vehicles travel slower through roundabouts, the risk of serious crashes is significantly reduced.”

Mr Bhula says the construction will create some disruption and travel delays. But the project and its associated detours have been discussed with local businesses, freight operators, and affected residents.

“Residents close to the work site may experience some noise, lights, and vibration while the work is being undertaken. We will do our best to minimise disruption and appreciate your understanding.”

“Road users also need to drive carefully and follow the direction of traffic management. This will keep both drivers and our work crews safe,” Mr Bhula says.

Construction and traffic management

• During construction of the Bells and St Leonards Road roundabout, different detours will be in place over four stages (see attached document).
• Cyclists will be catered for. We are creating an unsealed track around the worksite along the northern perimeter of the project until construction is completed.
• People cycling from Blenheim to Renwick/Nelson can do so as usual on SH6. People cycling from Nelson/Renwick to Blenheim will have a newly created unsealed off-road track around the work site to use while construction is happening.
• Works will take place during the day between 7am and 7pm. Most construction will happen on weekdays, with some weekend work as required.
• Access for emergency services will be always accommodated.

More information about this project can be found on the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website.

SH6 Bells Road / St Leonards Road roundabout

There will be different detours in place over the construction period. Below is a map that shows the full detours in place for each of the four stages of construction.