This Week's Summary

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

Daltons Bridge, near Kaiuma Bay Road, is currently closed to heavy vehicles over 3500kg and a diversion is in place via Te Hoiere Road.

Drainage improvements, construction of gabion baskets and road improvements are being carried out on Maungatapu Road. There is a closure planned on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 June for these works (please see the road closure section for more information). 

Multiple work sites on Queen Charlotte Drive between the mechanically stabilised earth (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:

• The MSE wall near Cullen Point (approx 1.7km from SH6/Havelock turnoff).
• The installation of a new culvert near Moenui Road.
• A road retreat site, 180m past Tepuia Heights, when travelling towards Picton. 
• The construction of a retaining wall 450m past Aussie Bay when travelling towards Picton.
• Road realignment and slip repairs at Governors Bay. 

Works at the above locations are under stop/go traffic management, please expect delays.

Work on the new boat ramp in French Pass township is planned to begin on 24 June 2024 and is scheduled to take approximately two weeks to complete.

Work to build a new retaining wall just prior to Portage near the Torea Road intersection, on Kenepuru Road is continuing. 

The construction of a retaining wall and installation of a culvert on Port Underwood Road is underway. This work is approximately 4km from the Picton end of Port Underwood Road, near Whatamango Bay. 

Work to build a new bridge, upstream of the current temporary bailey bridge on Waihopai Valley Road is underway.

Please ensure you keep to 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.

When walking near or through our worksites, please keep animals on a leash. 

Keep reading for information on:

• Contact Information 
• Continuation of Local Recovery Transition Period
• Kenepuru Road Restrictions
• Road Closures 
• Other Road Restrictions
• Resident Definition
• French Pass
• Kenepuru Road
• Northbank
• Pelorus
• Port Underwood Road 
• Queen Charlotte Drive
• Waihopai Valley

Contact Information

Phone: 0800 213 213 or 03 520 8024, between 8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Email: recovery@marlboroughroads.com

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

For more information:

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. 

Continuation of Local Recovery Transition Period

The Marlborough District Council have extended the local recovery transition period for the Marlborough Sounds Ward.

Although, access has been restored the removal of the current restrictions are dependent on the assessment of a Road Safety Auditor after the programmed repairs at two critical sites; Torea Road intersection and what is commonly known as Water Tank Slip, just beyond Te Mahia Bay. 

The works at the Torea Road intersection are currently being undertaken, and programmed to be completed by end of July 2024. Water Tank Slip is planned to be completed in time for the Christmas/New Year Holiday period 2024. 

As a result of the continued restrictions the Council's water and air transport subsidies will continue until these works are completed. 

Visit the Council's website for more information on these subsidies. 

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 and at Portage. 

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.

Road Closures

Daltons Bridge, Pelorus

Daltons Bridge is currently closed to heavy vehicles over 3500kg. A diversion is in place via Te Hoiere Road. 

Maungatapu Road 

A road closure is scheduled on Maungatapu Road, 12.8km from the Pelorus Bridge, SH6 turnoff as follows: 

• Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 June
• 8am - 5pm with a half hour opening between 12.30pm - 1pm.

Other Road Restrictions

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

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

The crane on the Kapowai Jetty on D'Urville Island has been removed for maintenance and is scheduled to be returned on Tuesday 4 June. 

Work on the new boat ramp in French Pass township is planned to begin on 24 June 2024 and is scheduled to take approximately two weeks to complete. Boat owners are advised to use the Okiwi Bay boat ramp over this period. 

Kenepuru

Work on Kenepuru Road to install an anchored retaining wall just prior to Portage, near the Torea Road intersection, is underway. Last week micropile work was completed. This week works have continued on the underslip repair. These works will continue over the coming months. These works are now under stop/go traffic management, with minor delays expected.

Sealing was completed last week on Kenepuru Road between Nikau Cove to The Heads. Pavement construction works have been undertaken this week between The Heads and Raetihi. Sealing is scheduled at this location next week under stop/go traffic management with short delays expected.

Northbank

Work on Top Valley Bridge on Northbank Road, 31.5km from the SH6 turnoff has now been completed. Road reinstatement and sealing was carried out last week. 

Willow trees have been planted along the river's edge this week on Onamalutu Road, 7km from the Northbank Road turnoff. Over the next two week's willow trees are also to be planted on the rivers edge on Northbank Road, approximately 1.5km past Fabions Valley Road turnoff, when traveling up the valley. 

For your safety, and that of other road users please ensure you adhere to the traffic lights on Northbank Road, 17.5km from the start of the road. The lights are required due to unstable rock on the bluff and slopes at the site. The lights are positioned so that vehicles are stopped in low risk areas. We are regularly monitoring the lights to make sure they are operational. This is a complex site and our design and construction teams are working hard to find the most appropriate solution. Once the preferred option is selected, works will begin and the traffic lights will be removed. 

Road reinstatement and sealing works on Top Valley Bridge

Pelorus

Daltons Bridge is currently closed to heavy vehicles over 3500kg. A diversion is in place via Te Hoiere Road. 

Drainage improvements, water table clearance and decommissioning of an old iron culvert pipe was carried out last week on Maungatapu Road, between 7km and 9.2km from the SH6 turnoff at Pelorus Bridge. This week, the crew has continued work along Maungatapu Road undertaking drainage and carriageway improvements between 9km and 12.3km. 

Next week drainage and shoulder improvements and the construction of a concrete ford is scheduled, 12.8km from the start of the road. On Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 June, these works will be under a daytime construction closure from 8am - 5pm, with a half hour opening between 12.30pm - 1pm. Outside of these days and times works will be under stop/go traffic management. 

Removal of an old culvert pipe on Maungatapu Road 

Port Underwood Road

Construction of a retaining wall and installation of a culvert is currently underway on Port Underwood Road. 

This work is approximately 4km from the Picton end of Port Underwood Road, near Whatamango Bay and is being completed under stop/go traffic management.

This work will be undertaken from Monday to Friday (with some Saturday work as required) between the hours of 7am and 7pm.

Last week lagging was installed and backfilling carried out. This week backfilling continued and a culvert installation started. Next week the culvert installation is scheduled to continue along with preperations to install the kerb. This work is expected to be completed in June, weather permitting.  

Surface water channel clearance is being undertaken on Port Underwood Road from approximately 5km beyond Whatamango Bay to the Tumbledown Bay Road intersection. These works are being undertaken as part of the road maintenance programme and are planned on weekdays between 4.30pm and 4am until Friday 7 June.

Installing wooden lagging onto the retaining wall on Port Underwood Road 

Queen Charlotte Drive

There are multiple recovery sites under construction along the length of Queen Charlotte Drive. Work at these sites is under stop/go traffic management, please expect delays. 

Crews have been working on the construction of a mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) wall and associated drainage upgrades on Queen Charlotte Drive (approximately 1.7km from the SH6/Havelock turnoff) near Cullen Point, Mahakipawa Hill. Crews continue building the MSE wall from the base upwards. 

Work to install a new culvert and repair the road continues, just prior to Moenui Road when travelling from Havelock. Last week geogrid reinforcement was laid and inserts for timber handrail and sight rail posts was installed. This week the construction of the MSE wall upstream has been undertaken. Next week the groundbeam and ground anchors downstream are scheduled to be constructed. 

A road retreat is underway approximately 180m past Tepuia Heights, on Queen Charlotte Drive, when travelling towards Picton. Last week preparation for pavement construction was completed with surfacing works and hydroseeding carried out this week. 

Work continues 450m past Aussie Bay, with sealing work carried out last week at the first retaining wall. At the second retaining wall site, augering and the installation of retaining wall H piles was carried out last week and this week. Next week crews are scheduled to continue building and lagging the retaining wall. 

Work to realign the road and repair a slip is nearing completion 70m past Governors Bay when travelling towards Picton. Road reinstatement work was carried out last week. This week the sight rails have been installed. 

Please note there will be increased truck movements while work is being carried out. Please plan ahead for delays.

Please 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.

Work continues to install a new culvert near Moenui Road 

Pavement construction work near Tepuia Heights 

Waihopai Valley

Drilling and piling is underway at Bridge 256, upstream from the current temporary bailey bridge on Waihopai Valley Road.

The current bailey bridge will continue to operate as crews build the new bridge. Please expect increased activity around this area.