Waikiwi Resurfacing Project Begins Late March

Roading crews will begin a major resurfacing project on State Highway 6 in Invercargill later this month, with detours in place to manage traffic while work is carried out.

The project is set to start on Monday 30 March 2026 and is expected to take about a month to complete. Work will focus on the Waikiwi section of North Road, where the northbound lane will be closed between Bainfield Road and West Plains Road, as well as just north of West Plains Road. Southbound traffic will continue as normal.

During closures between Bainfield Road and West Plains Road, northbound drivers will be diverted via Renfrew Street, Gloucester Street and West Plains Road before rejoining the highway. Heavy vehicles, including High Productivity Motor Vehicles, will instead travel along Bay Road, Drury Lane, Gloucester Street and West Plains Road. Some short delays are expected.

As work progresses to the section just north of West Plains Road, detours will shift to West Plains Road, Steel Road and Moore Road. These routes will also apply when work is underway at the intersection of North Road and West Plains Road.

The resurfacing is required due to a worn and cracked road surface. Crews will remove the existing layer and replace it with new asphalt to improve strength and extend the life of the road. The work has been timed for the summer construction period to take advantage of warmer, drier conditions, and to align with school holidays in an area with high pedestrian activity. Access to homes and businesses will remain available throughout the project.

Additional works will also affect nearby highways. State Highway 1 on East Road will be closed from 6am to 7pm on Tuesday 24 March and Wednesday 25 March for a culvert replacement near Mill Road South. Detours will be in place via Mill Road North, Findlay Road and Racecourse Road. On surrounding days, traffic lights and a 30 km/h speed limit will apply.

State Highway 93 in Mataura will also close between Kana Street and McQueen Avenue from 9am to 2pm on Saturday 28 March. Detours for light vehicles and heavy vehicles will follow separate routes.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and check updates, as schedules may change.