Otago planned state highway roadworks

20-26 January 2026

19 January 2026

Kia ora

Welcome to the latest Otago state highway planned roadworks update, to keep you informed about what’s happening across the region’s highways so you can plan ahead.

If you're travelling, check our Journey Planner for the latest updates on road conditions, or phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449).

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Information is current at 12 midday 19 January
 

Finally, a reminder that the postponed Tour of Southland cycle event takes to the local roads and highways across Southland and the Queenstown area from the 18 to 24 January. You can find full tour routes and dates here.

State highways with scheduled works this week

SH1 Green Island
SH1 Bushey
SH1 Kakaho Creek
SH1 Makikihi to Morven
SH1 Waimate, Otaio passing lane
SH1 Timaru and Temika
SH1 South of Ashburton
SH6 Muddy Creek
SH8 Millers Flat
SH8 Bendigo
SH8A Luggate Bridge. Night closures 18-27 January
SH83 Awamoko to Georgetown
SH85 Mosgiel to Kyeburn
SH88 Roseneath to St. Leonards
SH90 near Gore

Dunedin to Christchurch

Dunedin to Waitaki at various locations: until 26 January. Water cutting to improve the road surface. Minimal impact expected but you may see crews and equipment on the highway. See more information about water cutting below

SH1 Bushey: Crews are preparing the highway for a full rebuild until 31 January. Work is taking place on weekdays from 6am to 7pm. Short delays are expected.

SH1 Kakaho Creek: Road rebuild work continues weekdays 6am to 7pm until 1 March. Stop/Go traffic management and temporary speed limits operating. Expect delays of around 10 minutes.

SH1 Makikihi to Morven: Pavement and surfacing repairs will continue in multiple locations until 30 January. Work is taking place under daytime stop/go traffic management with a 30 km/h speed limit. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.

SH1 Waimate, Otaio passing lanes: Road reconstruction continues until 30 January. Lane closures are in place, and a 30 km/h temporary speed limit applies 24 hours a day.

SH1 Timaru, Evans Street / Grants Road: Taitarakihi Culvert replacement works are continuing until March. There are currently lane shifts on SH1 and 30km/h temporary speed limits 24 hours per day. Expect congestion on SH1 at this site.

SH1 Temuka: Pavement repairs will take place at the Ewen Street intersection from 20 to 23 January. Lane closures will be in place on Ewen Street west of SH1. Use alternative local streets to access Ewen Street while work is underway.

SH1 South of Ashburton at the Longbeach Road intersection: Road reconstruction is underway until 18 March. There are currently lane shifts with a 30 km/h speed limit. Expect delays of up to 10 minutes. This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled at short notice. Please take care at unattended sites where temporary speed restrictions remain in place.

SH1 Rolleston at the intersection with Dunns Crossing Road: Entry to Dunns Crossing Road from SH1 remains closed, until the end of February.

Dunedin to Invercargill

SH1 Kennington to north of Gore: Crews will clear tree and vegetation debris from weather events at various locations from 21 to 23 January. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.

SH93 Old Coach Road west of Kaiwera: Chip sealing and road stabilisation work will take place from 19 to 21 January, from 8am to 5pm. Delays of up to ten minutes are expected.

SH93 Old Coach Road east of Kaiwera: Crews will clear tree and vegetation debris from weather events on 20 January. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.

SH1 Waipahi Highway near Pukerau: Sealing work will take place on 20 January from 8am to 5pm. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.

SH1 Dunedin Green Island Southern Motorway night closures: Southbound closure 18 to 22 January from 8pm to 6am, for essential road surface replacement work. Full road closure with detours that may add 5 to 10 minutes to your journey. Follow all detour and advisory signs.

Dunedin to Queenstown

SH8 Stableburn near Millers Flat: A 3km road rebuild is underway until 9 April, Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm. This work will extend the life of the road and create a better driving surface. Expect up to 10 minute delays. 

SH85 Kyeburn to Ranfurly: Road levelling to improve ride quality will take place from 19 to 23 January. Work will run on weekdays from 7am to 6pm. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.

Work on other key Otago highways

SH6 Muddy Creek (near Makarora): Work continues on repairs after weather events until 23 January, 8am to 5.30pm. Expect stop/go and delays of up to 10 minutes.

SH8 Bendigo: Road reconstruction will extend the life of the highway surface and increase safety by providing a smooth and stable driving surface. Work continues until 13 February, Monday to Friday, 7am and 6pm. Expect stop/go and up to 10 minute delays.

SH8A Luggate Bridge: 18 January to 27 March, full night closure 8pm to 6am. Detour in place. Strengthening and maintenance work will extend the life of this historical bridge. Please follow all detour and advisory signs. The detour could add up to 30 minutes to your journey. Check Journey Planner and read our traffic bulletin for more information.

SH83 Awamoko to Georgetown: A full road rebuild runs weekdays between 7am to 6pm until around 31st March. Traffic management in place with either stop/go or temporary signals as required. Expect up to 10 minute delays.

SH87 Mosgiel to Kyeburn: Crews will be stabilising and repairing specific sections of the highway on weekdays until 31 January. Delays of up to five minutes are expected.

SH88 Roseneath to St Leonards: Dunedin City Council (DCC) is carrying out watermain renewals that started last September and continue until early July. Stop/Go or temporary traffic signals in place 24/7 (Excluding public holidays). Allow extra time for your journey. All queries about this work to the DCC 03 477 4000. 

SH90 near Gore: The final stage of this road rebuild is underway Monday to Friday, from 6am to 8pm, until 31 March. Traffic will be managed by temporary traffic lights with a 30 km/h speed limit. Expect up to 10 minute delays.

Water cutting: A smarter approach to treating flushed roads

Water cutting is used to restore flushed or bleeding road surfaces, where excess bitumen rises to the top and smooths out the texture that can significantly reduce skid resistance and compromise road safety. This is a targeted and efficient method for restoring surface texture.
Water cutting uses ultra-high-pressure water jets to remove surplus binder from the road surface. This process restores grip without damaging the underlying aggregate, making it a practical alternative to full resurfacing. It can be carried out year-round and is especially effective in cooler conditions. Water cutting typically extends pavement life by 1 to 5 years depending on site conditions. It’s a smart option for asset managers looking to maintain road performance while managing costs.

The image below shows the road surface before (to the right) and after water cutting.

For more information

Note that there may be other less disruptive state highway works not listed in this newsletter. Work is often weather dependant and can be postponed and rescheduled.

Remember for the most current information about highway works check the NZTA Journey Planner or phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449)

Visit our website the Otago Highway Maintenance or contact us at OtagoMaintenance@nzta.govt.nz