Otago planned state highway roadworks

13-19 January 2026

12 January 2026

A completed section of the SH8 SH8 Stableburn road rebuild near Millers Flat.

State highways with scheduled works this week

SH1 Oamaru to Allanton near Dunedin - various locations
SH8 Millers Flat
SH8 Bendigo
SH8 Lindis Pass
SH8A Luggate Bridge
SH83 Awamoko to Georgetown
SH90 near Gore

Kia ora and welcome

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Otago state highway planned roadworks update for 2026.This will 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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Finally, a reminder that the postponed Tour of Southland cycle event takes to the local roads and highways of Southland and the Queenstown area  from the 18 to 24 January. Tour routes and dates can be found here

The information outlined below is current as at 3pm on 12/1/2026.

Dunedin to Christchurch

SH1 Dunedin to Waikouaiti: Road surface repairs at various locations until Friday 16 January between 6am to 7pm. Expect delays of around 5 minutes.

SH1 Bushey(near Palmerston): Preparation work for a road rebuild is being carried out week days from 12 to 16 January, 6am to 7pm. Expect delays of around 5 minutes.

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

SH1 Hilderthorpe/Pukeuri Road: Road sealing on 14 and 15 January, 6am to 7pm. Delays of around 5 minutes. 

Note* Details about planned maintenance work on SH1 from the Waitaki River to Christchurch, will resume in next weeks newsletter. before then, check for the latest information on our Journey Planner 

Dunedin to Invercargill

SH1 Southbound Castle Street between St Andrew and Stuart Streets:Parts of the road will removed and replaced with new asphalt, over 3 nights from 11 January from 8pm to 6am. Expect delays of around 10 minutes. Full road closure with detours.More details here

SH1 Dunedin Green Island southern motorway motorway night closure: Southbound  closure 18 to 22 January from 8pm to 6am, for essential road surface replacement work. Full road closure with detours. Details here  The detours may add 5 to 10 minutes to your journey

SH1 Dunedin Fairfield motorway night closure: Southbound night closure 12 to 14 January from 8pm to 6am, to carry out essential road surface replacement work. Full road closure with detours that could add 5 to 10 minutes to your journey. More details here

SH1 Allanton: Road sealing on 13 and 14 January, 6am to 7pm. Expect delays of around 5 minutes.

SH93 Mataura to Clinton: Road surface repairs at various locations from 12 to 14 January between 8am and 5pm. Plan for delays of up to 10 minutes.

Dunedin to Queenstown

SH8 Stableburn near Millers Flat: A 3km road rebuild is underway  until  9 April 2026, 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. 

SH8 Nevis Bluff: Helicopter safety inspections of the Bluff on 14 January between 10.30am and 2pm.Traffic will be held Intermittently in both directions for up to 10 minutes at a time, to allow these inpsections to be carried out. This work is weather dependent and may be postponed at short notice.

Work on other key Otago highways

SH8 Bendigo: This work will extend the life of the highway pavement, and increase safety by providing a smooth and stable driving surface. Work contnues until 13 February, Monday to Friday, 7am and 6pm. Expect up to 10 minute delays.

SH8 Lindis Pass: Replacement of the Dip Creek Culvert north  of Lindis Pass from 13 to 16 January, between 8am and 5.30pm. Expect up to 10 minute delays.  

SH8A Luggate Bridge:Strengthening and maintenance work from 18 January to 27 March, Sunday to Thursday, 8pm to 6pm to extend the life of this historical bridge. This requires a full night closure and detour that could add up to 30 miunutes to your journey Details here and in this traffic bulletin

SH83 Awamoko to Georgetown: A full road rebuild will run weekdays until between 7am to 6pm until around 31st March 2026. Traffic management in place with either stop/go or temporary signals as required. Expect up to 10 minute delays.

SH 88 Roseneath to St Leonards: Dunedin City Council (DCC) is carrying out watermain renewals that started last September and continue early July. Stop/Go or temporary traffic signals in place 24/7 (Excluding public holidays). Allow extra time for you 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.

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