“Summer road work season ensures our local and highway roads are safely and well maintained for our customers’ journeys for the whole year,” says Transport Agency Journey Manager Lee Wright.
“The summer maintenance programme traditionally occurs from November through to April. Summer is the optimum time for this work to occur as weather conditions are warmer allowing bitumen to stick more effectively to the road surface and for crews to have more daylight hours and visibility, which is safer for everyone.”
Common maintenance activity includes road rehabilitation, road resealing, bridge strengthening and pavement repairs or reconstruction.
Before you set off on your journey, for work or leisure, the Transport Agency encourages drivers to visit their traffic and travel website - or call their 0800 4 HIGHWAYS freephone (0800 444 449 ) to find out what’s happening on the route ahead so they know of any potential delays.
“Knowing what’s happening on your route ensures you will enjoy a more predictable and connected journey,” says Ms Wright. “It also reduces the road safety risks and stress if you are better prepared.
“Our roads are increasingly busy and with construction activity occurring across the South Island, some areas will experience more delays and disruptions then others depending on the nature of the road works and how popular that route is.
“If you are on the road and want to check out the road conditions – pull over at a safe place and call our 0800 4 HIGHWAYS call centre.
“Always take care when driving through our road work sites, follow the temporary speed restrictions to ensure you and our crews are safe.”
How to check your trip before you are on the road:
- NZ Transport Agency's travel and traffic page here.
- Otago Southland Transport Agency Twitter updates and Canterbury West Coast Twitter updates
- Transport Agency Facebook South Island
- Call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS 0800 44 44 49
- Or use OnTheMove for information on your journey before you head off