Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Work is about to begin to make two key Top of the South transport links safer for the public and more resistant to slips and rockfalls.
Contractors will be on site from next week at 2 sites near Murchison – one at the Granity Narrows on State Highway 6 between Kawatiri and Owen Junction, and the other near O’Sullivan’s Junction – also on State Highway 6.
Work for both projects will be underway from Monday, 6 October until the end of May 2026.
Jetesh Bhula, Regional Manager Infrastructure delivery, says extensive rockfall protection will be installed at both locations, with around $8.6 million to be spent on the projects.
“This will involve rock scaling to remove loose rock, as well as installing rock bolts and mesh to stabilise the rock faces and reduce the risk of further debris falling onto the road.”
“This is critical work. Not only will it reduce the danger rockfalls pose to drivers, but it also improves and strengthens sites where we know there is an active rockfall risk.”
Mr Bhula says the winter storms this year show how vital resilience works like these are.
“Areas on State Highway 6, Whangamoa Saddle, that had work done after the 2022 floods stood up well, and the route remained open, during the weather events we had in June and July this year.”
“The investment we are making at both the Granity Narrows, and O’Sullivan’s Junction are about improving safety, and maintaining and protecting critical transport links,” Mr Bhula says.
He says drivers can expect some disruption and travel delays at both sites while the work is underway.
“The geology and geography of both sites is challenging. When we have contractors working above the road, we must take steps to keep the public safe from the risk of falling debris. This is why lane closures and stop/go traffic have to be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Our contractors will do their best to keep traffic delays to a minimum but, unfortunately, you cannot do projects like these without affecting traffic. Drivers should be prepared for 15-minute delays at both sites,” Mr Bhula says.
Initial work will see contractors clear loose rock and unstable vegetation from the cliff faces at both sites.
Mr Bhula says the early works may not be immediately visible, but they are crucial – particularly at the Granity Narrows site on State Highway 6.
“The first few months will see an embankment built on an old railway line below the road. This will allow the highway to be widened and moved away from the cliff, providing more space for traffic when the substantive rockfall protection works are underway.”
“Please bear with us while we get this work completed. These are critical investments that will result in safer and more reliable roads,” Mr Bhula says.
Works schedule and location map
- Monday 6 October until end of May 2026.
- Stop/Go traffic management and 30 km/h temporary speed limit at both sites 24/7 – expect 15-minute travel delays.
- Stop/Stop traffic controls will be used when controlled rock clearing is underway.
- Access will be available for emergency services and school bus services.
- The road will be open to two lanes over the Christmas/New Year holiday period.
More information
- The $8.6 million project costs are funded from the National Land Transport Fund.
- Other resilience works recently completed or underway in the top of the South Island include rock scaling work on State Highway 65 at Higgins Bluff and flood prevention works on State Highway 1 at Dashwood in Marlborough, State Highway 6 at Dellows Bluff and State Highway 63 near the Wash Bridge in the Wairau Valley. Stage Two of the resilience work on State Highway 6 Whangamoa Saddle is currently underway.