Rocks Road will close tomorrow (Thursday 7 August) so emergency works can be made on the slip site.
The New Zealand Transport Agency has scheduled the closure of the section of State Highway 6 for 10am to 4pm, avoiding peak traffic hours.
Rob Service, the agency’s system manager for Nelson Tasman, said the closure was urgently needed to remove an unsafe structure that was overhanging the top of the cliff face.
“It is at risk of falling onto the road and it is critical it be removed to keep the public safe. It is simply not safe to have vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians below the cliff while this is being done.”
While the agency would endeavour to have the work completed by 4pm, there was a chance the road’s re-opening could be delayed.
“This is a slip site, and the geology and geography are challenging,” Rob says.
“The 4pm re-opening time may change if unforeseen circumstances arise. Drivers should check the road’s status before they travel.”
The closure was expected to cause congestion and travel delays for people travelling in and out of Nelson.
The detour will be via Waimea Road, and motorists were advised against using narrow residential side streets and to allow extra time for their journeys.
SH6/Rocks Road will be closed between Bisley Avenue and Russel Street, though access will be maintained for affected residents and businesses.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Nick Smith said he was pleased the work was being done outside of peak hours.
“But this is the fifth closure of Rocks Rd since June. It reinforces my message to NZTA and the Minister [of Transport] that we need a more resilient, long-term solution for this important stretch of State Highway.”
The closure would affect eBus Route 2. Stops on that route between the central Nelson and Muritai Street interchanges will be closed.
Buses on Route 2 will detour via Waimea Road and will not pick up passengers on the detour route, though the other eBuses that normally travel that route will pick up passengers as usual.
