Each summer, we carry out a road renewal programme to keep Canterbury’s state highways safe and accessible, to support economic growth and productivity. Our teams maintain and manage the state highways from just north of Kaikoura to the Waitaki River in the south.
We prioritise road safety, reducing disruption and minimising future costs by targeting areas with the greatest needs, focusing on the high-risk areas and those with high traffic volumes. Most maintenance work happens during the spring and summer months when there is generally less rain and warmer weather. The warmer temperatures and dry air, helps new seal stick to the road and ensures the durability and quality of the finished product.
This season, we are investing in a large number of resealing and resurfacing sites across the region.
This significant investment in the Canterbury state highway network means you will see a lot of activity out on the roads, especially during peak summertime. Our investment aligns with the Government Policy Statement (GPS) Land Transport by demonstrating improved network condition, preventing further deterioration, reducing costs, and minimising disruptions. The work will be delivered by Downer on behalf of NZTA.
We’ll make sure to minimise any disruptions to road users as much as we can while we complete this important work, improving the road to make everyone’s journey safer and more enjoyable.
Winter brings colder, wetter conditions, and our Canterbury maintenance teams are focussed on keeping state highways open and safe. While road resealing isn’t suitable in winter, our crews keep an eye on road conditions, gritting, spraying Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) to prevent ice forming and snow ploughing to keep state highways open.
Even with these preventative and management options, sometimes we must close roads to keep everyone safe.
Other winter maintenance tasks include drain clearing, vegetation control, and pothole repairs. Potholes can occur year-round but are more common in wet weather. Our crews respond to issues as they arise, especially after heavy rain.
Winter can be tough on our roads, and closures from snow, flooding or slips can occur. Our crews often work in challenging conditions to restore access and make roads safe as quickly as possible. With shorter days, more work happens at night, where lower visibility makes it harder to see road crews—please stay alert and follow traffic signs to help keep everyone safe.
A smarter winter strategy is about more than just reacting to the weather, it’s a coordinated approach that keeps our highways safe and reliable. CMA plays a key role in this broader winter maintenance plan. Our contractors actively monitor forecasts to anticipate snow and ice, preparing their teams, equipment, and materials, including grit and CMA, in advance to ensure roads can remain open as safely and efficiently as possible.
Although major road rebuilds, resurfacing and resealing happens in warmer months, planning for the next season begins well in advance. Throughout winter, our teams assess highways, checking road surfaces, drainage, and assets such as bridges (ie the Rakaia and upper Rangitata), signs and streetlights. This helps prioritise summer work where it’s needed most.
When snow settles, ploughing becomes a frequent and necessary activity. The use of large machinery, combined with the potential for reduced traction, means that road closures are sometimes required. These closures are made with safety in mind, allowing crews to work more effectively and helping to ensure the best possible outcomes for all road users.
