The NZ Transport Agency is advising people to expect a delay of half an hour on Thursday this week due to scheduled rock blasting work at the Nevis Bluff on State Highway 6. The bluff is midway between Cromwell and Queenstown.

Rock stabilisation and inspection work started on Monday, 29 October, and is expected to conclude next week.

The work is part of on-going safety and monitoring of the Nevis Bluff, involving abseil inspection, rock scaling and blasting to remove loose debris and unstable rock, following changes as a result of winter weather effects.

Mark Stewart, NZ Transport Agency Maintenance Contract Manager, says that blasting of unstable rock above SH6 is vital to ensure the on-going safety of road users. “The difficult nature of working above the road on the bluff means that these longer traffic delays are necessary,” he says.

Subject to weather conditions, there will be an extended traffic delay of half an hour between 11am and 11:30am on Thursday, 8 November.

People travelling to Queenstown Airport, or with appointments, should aim to get through the Nevis Bluff before 11am on Thursday, Mr Stewart says. “The Crown Range is the alternative route into Queenstown.”

Outside the extended blast delay, safety work at the bluff will continue between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday and people are advised to build in extra time of around 10 minutes to their journey between Cromwell and Queenstown.

Work is scheduled to continue through until later next week.

The Nevis Bluff is 25 minutes from Cromwell, 35 minutes from Queenstown.

The Transport Agency thanks everyone for their patience and for taking care while this important safety work is completed leading into the busy festive season.
Other places for information:
People can check the web page www.highwayinfo.govt.nz
Phone the Transport Agency’s 0800 4 HIGHWAYS info line or check the Facebook pages.
(www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland) and ask us questions there also.
Or follow the Otago/ Southland Transport Agency Twitter page here @NZTAOS

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