Resilient route

A $60 million improvements package on the 398km Picton to Christchurch alternate route (SH63, 6, 65 and 7 via Lewis Pass) has built safety and resilience into the upper South Island transport system, improving inter-regional connections and growing economic prosperity.

When the November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake struck, it severed the State Highway 1, the main economic lifeline route for the South Island. Freight and tourist traffic was diverted to the lesser used inland route via Lewis Pass, which was not designed for increased volumes.

Resealing, repairing and strengthening on more than 56 kms of the route, additional pull-over areas for trucks and slow vehicle bays and widening several sections of the road to allow trucks and other vehicles to travel safely on the route.

Other improvements included additional safety barriers and rock fall protection, installing several new bailey bridges alongside existing one-way bridges to provide two-way access, installing traffic signals on one-way bridges, and using radars and webcams to measure traffic volumes and provide travel updates.

This investment has long-term benefits for local communities and visitors by building resilience into the network and it remains a vital secondary route for this part of the country. Improving the safety and overall driving experience of the alternate route helps support regional growth for communities along the way.

Since the 24/7 reopening of State Highway 1 in April 2018, traffic volumes on the alternate route are back to near pre-earthquake levels. Additional improvements and maintenance work continues along the route.

Through the delivery of improvements on the alternate route the Transport Agency formed strong, valuable local partnerships with NZ Police, the freight industry and roading contractors. The police had a dedicated team supporting road safety along this route for 18 months which was critical for keeping road crew, the community and road users safe.

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