Improving the resilience of state highways in the top of the South Island continues, with State Highway 63 at Howard Narrows near St Arnaud the next in line for improvements.

Improving the resilience of state highways in the top of the South Island continues, with State Highway 63 at Howard Narrows near St Arnaud the next in line for improvements.

Contractors will be on-site on the St Arnaud-Kawatiri Highway, from Monday 19 May until Friday 27 June to complete rock scaling and rock bolting.

Work will be underway on weekdays only between 7:30am and 5pm.  No work will be done on weekends

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman says contractors will be working on the top rock face about 30 metres above the highway, a section that hasn’t been strengthened before.

“Our team will use a 60-tonne crane with a cradle to provide abseilers access to the top of the rock face but due to the geography the loose rock and debris must be removed manually.” 

“Approximately 120 rock bolts will be drilled to stabilise the face before mesh rock-protection is installed,’ Mr Service says.

He says that, as the location’s name suggests, this section of State Highway 63 is incredibly narrow, which makes the work extremely challenging. 

“To ensure the safety of road users and our crew we must close the road while this work is completed.”

“Rock falls can pose a serious risk to road users and sometimes result in lengthy road closures. Reducing this risk is a priority.”

Mr Service says improving State Highway 63’s resilience is critical. 

 “We have seen from past severe weather events how crucial it has been in providing an alternative route when State Highway 6 has been closed between Nelson and Blenheim.”

“It is critical we continue to invest in the highway to improve the resilience and reliability of the regional state highway network,” Mr Service says.

Because rock scaling can only be done safely during the day, the work requires daytime road closures. Measures will be in place to reduce delays and disruptions for drivers, with regular openings planned to let queued traffic through the work site. They will be scheduled for 10 am, 12 noon, and 3 pm, for 20 minutes. 

While the project is underway, Mr Service says road users will have to detour via State Highway 63 St Arnaud-Kawatiri Highway, Korere-Tophouse Road and State Highway 6 Kohatu-Kawatiri Highway. 

“This is a significant detour and will require extra travel time. However, it is unavoidable as it is not safe to have traffic driving through the project site when rocks are being removed from the cliff face. We have to keep drivers safe from the risk of rockfalls.”

“Please bear with us. We know there will be disruptions and delays while the work is completed. But investing in these improvements now helps prevent bigger hassles in the future,” Mr Service says. 

NZTA/Waka Kotahi is working with the freight industry, the local community to ensure those affected by this work can make arrangements in advance.

Works schedule: Monday 19 May, to Friday 27 June, 7:30am - 5pm (weekdays only) full road closure of State Highway 63 between Howard Valley Road and Kawatiri Junction.

During this time the road will reopen for 20 minutes at 10am, 12noon and 3pm to let queued traffic through. During work hours the detour route for all vehicles will be via State Highway 63 St Arnaud-Kawatiri Highway, Korere-Tophouse Road and State Highway 6 Kohatu-Kawatiri Highway. Allow an extra 30 minutes travel time when travelling on the detour route.