This Week's Summary

Kenepuru Road to the Heads, and its side roads remain restricted to residents, emergency and essential services.

Crews have been working on the construction of a MSE (Mechanically Stabilised Earth) wall and associated drainage upgrades on Queen Charlotte Drive (approximately 1.7km from the SH6/Havelock turnoff)  near Cullen Point, Mahakipawa Hill.

The closure that was in place at this location has now ended.

However, multiple work sites on Queen Charlotte Drive between the MSE wall site near Cullen Point and Governors Bay remain in place.  Please factor more time into your travel plans and expect delays. Worksite locations include:

• MSE wall near Cullen Point (as above) 
• The installation of a new culvert near Moenui Road
• The constuction of a retaining wall 450m past Aussie Bay when travelling towards Picton.
• Road realignment and slip repairs at Governors Bay. 
• The installation of two railway iron walls approximately 1.9km and 2.1km past Tepuia Heights, when travelling towards Picton. 
• Drainage upgrades and repair of a drop-out, 750m past The Grove Jetty when travelling towards Picton. 

Please ensure you keep the reduced temporary speed limits when travelling through worksites to ensure the safety of our crews and road users. We thank you for your patience.

Keep reading for information on:

• Kenepuru Road Restrictions
• Other Road Restrictions
• Resident Definition
• French Pass
• Havelock/Pelorus
• Northbank
• Queen Charlotte Drive
• Ward

Kenepuru Road Restrictions

Kenepuru Road to the Heads, and its side roads remain restricted to residents, emergency and essential services. 

These roads have severe storm damage and entry into this section of Kenepuru Road is at resident and emergency or essential service drivers' discretion. 

Extreme care should be exercised and daylight driving only is strongly recommended. 

Residents vehicles up to 12.6m in length, and 6 tonne in weight can travel on Kenepuru Road and the following side roads; Mahau Road, Torea Road and Moetapu Bay Road as far as Double Bay Reserve. 

This means residents can access boat launching areas at Double Bay Reserve, Torea, Portage and along Mahau Road.

On all other side roads, between Kenepuru Road to the Heads no vehicles over 8m in length or 3.5 tonne in weight are permitted. 

The Marlborough District Council's barge subsidy is available for resident's vehicles that are outside these dimensions.

The Council's water taxi subsidy is available for residents, workers and visitors to areas in the Marlborough Sounds that were previously accessible by road. 

For more information on the Council's transport subsidies visit their website. 

For a full list of what is deemed an emergency or essential service visit the Council's website.

The following restrictions apply on this section of Kenepuru Road and it's side roads including Moetapu Bay Road;

• No campervans, vans or buses.
• Only 4WD and light vehicles.
• On Kenepuru Road to the Heads, Torea Road, Mahau Road and Moetapu Bay Road to Double Bay Reserve, no vehicles over 12.6m in length or 6 tonne in weight. 

On all side roads off Kenepuru Road to the Heads, excluding Torea Road, Mahau Road and Moetapu Bay Road to Double Bay Reserve, no vehicles more than 8 metres in length or 3.5 tonne.

Residents only are permitted to walk and cycle on the restricted access section of Kenepuru Road and Moetapu Bay Road.

There are the following hazards on this section of Kenepuru Road and Moetapu Bay Road;

• Slips.
• Drop outs.
• Single lane in places.
• Increased hazard during rain.
• Uneven surfaces and gravel sections.

Other Road Restrictions

Queen Charlotte Drive is open to all vehicles less than 12.6m. Vehicles over 12.6m must obtain a permit to drive on Queen Charlotte Drive. These permits can be obtained by emailing the Marlborough Roads NZTA office on MRoadsadmin@nzta.govt.nz.

Please note there is no longer a requirement for vehicles over 12.6m to be piloted on Queen Charlotte Drive. 

Anakiwa Road is open to vehicles less than 12.6m. Beyond Tirimoana Jetty, only light vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes are allowed, unless by prior arrangement.

French Pass and Tennyson Inlet are accessible, but drivers should be aware that the road is narrower than usual in some sections.

Please be aware that on all roads, including those with public access, there may be areas of works and traffic management in place. Please expect delays and follow all signage and traffic management.

Heavy rain may lead to roads needing to be closed urgently. No matter the status of the road, drive to the conditions.

To check the status of a road before you travel, please visit the Civil Defence Emergency Map.

Resident Definition

The definition of a resident, in terms of who is able to access roads restricted to resident and emergency services is; 

A permanent resident, owner of a holiday home/bach, or the owner of a commercial interest.

It does not include visitors who are hiring or renting a holiday home or bach, where rental arrangements have been made through either a property letting agency or directly with the owner. 

French Pass

Culvert replacement, drainage and road construction works have been carried out on Ronga Road this week, these works are now complete.

Works for the new boat ramp in French Pass township are now planned for late June 2024 (previously notified as March). This will allow crews to work in with tide times. More information will be shared in this update once the dates are confirmed.

Havelock/Pelorus

Repair of the scours on Daltons Bridge's piers have been undertaken this week. Works are expected to be completed at this site by Friday 8 March. 

Northbank

A culvert replacement was carried out last week on Northbank Road approximately 35.7km from the SH6 turnoff (2.75km past Top Valley Road when travelling up the valley) under a road closure. 

Rock protection works and reinstatement of the carriageway was carried out last week and this week on Northbank Road, 22km from the SH6 turnoff. Rock protection works continue at this location next week. 

Rock revetment works are scheduled for the week of Monday 11 March, approximately 7km up Onamalutu Road from the Northbank Road turnoff. 

These works will be carried out under stop/go traffic management.

Culvert construction on Northbank Road, 35km from the SH6 turnoff

Construction of gabion baskets for the new culvert on Northbank Road, 35km from the SH6 turnoff.

Queen Charlotte Drive

There will be increased works along the length of Queen Charlotte Drive during March with multiple recovery sites under construction. These works will be under stop/go traffic management, please expect delays. 

Crews have been working on the construction of a MSE (Mechanically Stabilised Earth) wall and associated drainage upgrades on Queen Charlotte Drive (approximately 1.7km from the SH6/Havelock turnoff) near Cullen Point, Mahakipawa Hill.

The closure that was in place at this location has now ended.

Last week crews drilled and installed concrete piles at the above location under the daytime construction closure. This week and next week anchor drilling and the installation of wailers will be undertaken, under stop/go traffic management. 

Works to install a new culvert and repair the road are continuing, just prior to Moenui Road (when travelling from Havelock). This week culvert outlet works were completed, including wing walls and rock protection. Next week the third section of the box culvert is scheduled to be installed.

Works to realign the road and repair a slip have begun 70m past Governors Bay when travelling towards Picton. Crews have been drilling, installing anchors and laying concrete at this location. Next week preparation work for the ground beam is scheduled to be undertaken.  

Works continue at a new retaining wall site, 450m past Aussie Bay. This week installation of the wailers has been carried out and backfilling works undertaken. Next week backfilling works are scheduled to continue at this location.

This week works have started 750m past The Grove Jetty, when travelling towards Picton to complete drainage upgrades and repair a dropout. Works will continue at this location next week. 

The construction of two railway iron walls is being carried out approximately 1.9km and 2.1km past Tepuia Heights, on Queen Charlotte Drive when travelling towards Picton. Users of the Link Pathway will be guided through these sites by traffic management.

A third railway iron site is scheduled to start in the coming weeks, 450m before Moenui Road, when travelling towards Picton.

Please note there will be increased truck movements while these works are being carried out. Please plan ahead for delays.

Please ensure you keep to the reduced temporary speed limits when you're travelling through our worksites to ensure the safety of crews and road users. We thank you for your patience.

Rail iron wall near Tepuia Heights  

A wailer being craned into place at the retaining wall site near Aussie Bay

Ward

Riverbank works were carried out last week and are continuing on Ure Road this week.

Two sections are being worked on, the first is approximately 4.7km from the SH1 turnoff and the second section is approximately 7.7km from the SH1 turnoff.

Protective rock being placed in the Ure River 

More Information

If you require welfare support contact recovery@marlborough.govt.nz or phone Council on 03 520 7400.

For local roading alerts/updates go to Marlborough District Council's website.

Sign up to the Antenno app to receive notifications on your phone.

Check the Civil Defence Emergency Management map for road access restrictions. 

Phone: 0800 213 213 or 03 520 8024, between 8.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Email: recovery@marlboroughroads.com