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Marlborough Roads Recovery Update |
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12 February 2026 |
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This Week's Summary |
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This week construction continued across the Marlborough Roads Recovery network in the Awatere, French Pass, Kenepuru, Northbank, Port Underwood and on Queen Charlotte Drive. Construction closures are in place on Kenepuru Road, Archers Road and Northbank Road. --------------------------------------------------- The construction closure on Awatere Valley Road at Awapiri has been postponed until Monday 13 April. Drainage improvements are progressing at the Upcot Saddle under stop/go traffic management. Work continues at three sites in the French Pass to complete road stabilisation, drainage improvements and retreats. These sites are located on Croisilles Road, Croisilles-French Pass Road, and Tennyson Inlet. In the Kenepuru, between Linkwater and the Heads, construction is occurring on:
Approximately 17km from the start of Northbank Road, a construction closure has been extended until Friday 20 March. Crews continue to excavate from above the slip. On Port Underwood Road, excavated material is being cleared at various sites from the Rarangi end. On Queen Charlotte Drive on Mahakipawa Hill, crews have poured a concrete dish channel and are now reinstating the pavement, prior to establishing on Moenui Road. All work is subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of unsuitable conditions, work will be rescheduled to the next suitable workday. Continue reading for information on:
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Upcoming Road Closures |
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Kenepuru Road - closure extension towards Linkwater From Tuesday 17 February to early March the construction closure on Kenepuru Road will be extended approximately 3km towards Linkwater, to Ohingaroa Bay. This extension is to accomodate a new site for a culvert replacement within the closure. The existing timings will apply for this closure on the following days and times:
This closure continues to allow multiple road repairs to be completed concurrently and safely. Gates will be in place at each end of the closure and at working sites. Outside of the closure times stop/go traffic management may be in place with delays of up to 15 minutes. Traffic management will ensure that vehicles do not get stuck between closure points during the opening times. For the 3pm opening on Mondays to Thursdays vehicles must be waiting at the closure gates no later than 3.04pm to be safely escorted through by a tail vehicle. It is important to stay within the convoy, as any vehicles that stop or pull over will unfortunately be stuck within the closure until 5pm. The Kenepuru Road closure location will continue to be adjusted throughout 2026 as sites at either end of the closure are completed or established. Any future extension to the closure will be communicated a minimum of two-weeks prior to the change being made. --------------------------------------------------- Northbank Road - date extension The current construction closure in place on Northbank Road, approximately 17km from the start of road, has been extended until Saturday 14 March. The existing closure timings will apply on weekdays and every Saturday:
The excavation and unseasonably wet weather has uncovered soft clay above the slip. Consequently, additional material must be safely removed from the slip face under an extended road closure period. Outside of these times unattended traffic lights will remain in place with delays of up to 5 minutes. --------------------------------------------------- Postponement to Awatere Valley Road - at Awapiri Following feedback from the community, the works on Awatere Valley Road at Awapiri have been postponed until after Easter. No planned construction closure will be in place at this site from Monday 9 February to Friday 27 March as previously notified. The closures are now planned from Monday 13 April to late May. The closures will remain as Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Timings for these closures will be communicated in the coming weeks. --------------------------------------------------- To view current closure locations, please visit the CDEM map. Changes to planned road closures will be sent via Antenno. Sign up to Antenno here. If you have any concerns, please contact recovery@marlboroughroads.com. |
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Kenepuru Road construction closure and approximate site locations from Tuesday 17 February |
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Awatere Valley Road |
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Work is continuing on Awatere Valley Road at the Upcot Saddle to complete culvert replacements and other drainage improvements. This site is under stop/go traffic management with delays of up to 15 minutes. |
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Installed culvert on Awatere Valley Road at the Upcot Saddle |
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French Pass |
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This week on Croisilles Road, approximately 4.2km before the Hope Drive/Wharf Road intersection crews have concreted the slip face, whilst continuing to drill and grout anchors. This site is under stop/go traffic management with delays of up to 15 minutes. On Croisilles Road, approximately 1.5km before the Hope Drive/Wharf Road, crews have disestablished from site. They will return on Monday 16 February to rebuild the pavement and construct the drain outlet. --------------------------------------------------- On Croisilles-French Pass Road, crews are replacing a culvert approximately 12km past Okiwi Bay. Crews are completing this work at night between 7pm and 7am until Friday 13 February. This site is under stop/go traffic management during these times with delays of up to 15 minutes. --------------------------------------------------- From Monday 16 February, crews will establish approximately 11km up Ronga Road and 1.7km up Croisilles Road to begin retreat work. Both sites will be under stop/go traffic management with delays of up to 15 minutes. |
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Anchor drilling on Croisilles Road |
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Kenepuru |
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There is a construction closure in place on weekdays until Monday 16 February on Kenepuru Road for approximately 11km, between Willow Bay and 'Water Tank Slip'. From Tuesday 17 February until early March this closure will be extended approximately 3km towards Linkwater, to start at Ohingaroa Bay. This extension allows a new site for a culvert replacement to be included in the closure. The days and times for this closure are:
Outside of the closure times stop/go traffic management may be in place with delays of up to 15 minutes. Traffic management will ensure that vehicles do not get stuck between closure points during the opening times. Work occuring within the closure this week includes: Pavement reinstatement and site rail installation approximately 3.5km before the Mahau Road turn-off. Sealing is planned next Tuesday 17 February, pending suitable weather conditions. Retaining wall construction at two sites between the Mahau Road intersection and Broughton Bay. --------------------------------------------------- On Moetapu Bay Road, approximately 1.3km from the start of the road, crews are installing a second culvert. This week, work began at a second site, approximately 4.3km from the start of the road to progress under slip repairs. Both sites on Moetapu Bay Road are under stop/go traffic management. On Kenepuru Road, near Portage Bay, approximately 1.5km prior to Portage Resort, gully fill excavation continues. This site is under traffic lights with delays of up to 15 minutes. On Torea Road, crews are progressing excavation for a retaining wall. This site is also under traffic lights with delays of up to 15 minutes. |
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Installed sight rail on Kenepuru Road |
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Northbank |
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Work continues approximately 17km from the start of Northbank Road to clear a large slip. The construction closure in place has been extended to Saturday 14 March. The closure remains in place on the following days and times:
Due to the narrow roadway, no bypass is available. Please plan your travel around the scheduled closure times. Outside of these times unattended traffic lights will remain in place with delays of up to five minutes. --------------------------------------------------- Work continues on the replacement of the Gillespie Bridge on Cat Creek Road. |
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Excavation progressing from above the slip on Northbank Road |
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Slip and fill site on Northbank Road |
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Port Underwood |
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On Port Underwood Road, crews are clearing excavation material at various locations under stop/go traffic management with minor delays. |
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Queen Charlotte Drive |
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On Queen Charlotte Drive, approximately 4.2km from Havelock crews have poured a concrete dish channel. This week a second culvert is being installed. This site is under stop/go traffic management with delays of up to 15 minutes. Once works on Queen Charlotte Drive are completed, the crew will move to Moenui Road to undertake multiple drainage repairs. |
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Tennyson Inlet |
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A construction closure is in place on Archers Road, Tennyson Inlet, approximately 1km from the start of the road to undertake two road retreats and complete a retaining wall. This week crews have also installed a second culvert and begun the pavement preparation. The closure will be in place until late-March for all traffic on the below days and times:
There will be no traffic management in place outside of these closure times, however road users should take care driving through this site due to the narrowness of the road. |
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Kenepuru Road restrictions |
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Kenepuru Road is open to the public, with overweight and overlength vehicle restrictions in place. Reduced speed limit signage and temporary traffic lights are in place at Portage Heights and approximately 500m beyond Nikau Cove (when travelling from Portage). Both sites have a 30km temporary speed limit in place. Please expect minor delays and follow all traffic management signage. Vehicle restrictions remain on Kenepuru Road from Linkwater to the Heads as follows: Vehicle RestrictionsVehicles up to 12.6m in length, and 6 tonne in weight can travel on Kenepuru Road and side roads. To apply for a permit for an over dimension vehicle to travel on Kenepuru Road, email recovery@marlboroughroads.com or call 0800 213 213. There are the following hazards on this section of Kenepuru Road and its side roads including Moetapu Bay Road:
Other recovery roadsPlease be aware that on all roads, works may be in progress and/or traffic management in place. Please expect delays and follow all signage and traffic management. Heavy rain may lead to roads being closed at short notice. Regardless of the status of the road, please drive to the conditions. To check the status of a road before you travel, please visit the CDEM Map. |
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Further Information |
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Marlborough Roads 0800 213 213, between 9.00am - 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. For more information on the Marlborough Roads recovery project or to subscribe to this newsletter, contact us at recovery@marlboroughroads.com Visit our webpage: www.nzta.govt.nz/marlborough-roads-recovery 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. If you require welfare support contact Marlborough District Council on 03 520 7400 or email recovery@marlborough.govt.nz If you require an overlength permit for vehicles over 12.6m to travel on Queen Charlotte Drive between Linkwater and Picton please email Marlborough Roads NZTA Office, 28 Alfred Street, Blenheim on MRoadsadmin@nzta.govt.nz |
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