Emergency maintenance closure for State Highway 1, Weld Pass

A large area of sunken road on the Weld Pass needs emergency repairs to ensure it is safe for road users.

State Highway 1 at Weld Pass will be closed tomorrow night (Thursday, 31 August)  after the problem was discovered during a routine safety inspection.

The closure will be between 8 pm and 5 am, with a midnight opening to let queued vehicles through.

A 30km/h temporary speed limit is currently in place until the emergency maintenance work can be done.

Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says a routine  check on Tuesday afternoon identified a section of the pavement that had deteriorated and cracked, resulting in a large depression in the road.

“This has to be fixed urgently to ensure the safety of all road users.

“Because the road through the Weld Pass is very narrow, and due to the location of the depression in the middle of the road, a night closure is necessary to complete the repair as quickly and as safely as possible."

During the closure, crews will mill or remove the old road surface before adding new, deeper layers.

Rob says State Highway 1 Weld Pass is a key transport route and the road has to be in good condition.

“We are mindful of the freight and ferry traffic that use the route daily, and it’s vital the highway is in the best shape it can be for the thousands of vehicles that use it every week.”

“I know closures are frustrating for road users, but it is the safest and most efficient option for work such as this when there is machinery and crews involved and not enough space to let traffic through."

Waka Kotahi wants to thank road users for their patience and understanding while this essential emergency maintenance work is carried out.