Motorists who have to travel between Dunedin and Mosgiel are being asked to factor in an extra 15 to 20 minutes to the trip for the next three months.
The NZ Transport Agency is advising people travelling on Dunedin’s Southern Motorway to expect detours and some delays while work is done to make the road safer.
The work will include widening State Highway 1 between Dunedin and Mosgiel, laying a new road surface and installing flexible side and median safety barriers.
Agency system manager Graeme Hall said the changes were important as they would prevent people from being killed and injured on the road.
Work is to start on Monday and run day and night until the end of March 2018.
"If you are driving on this road during this time make sure you follow the signposted detours and allow an extra 15 minutes’ travel time during the work.
"If you are travelling to and from Dunedin Airport or other destinations where time is important, allow an extra 20 minutes or take an alternative route, if you can."
The safety improvements are part of the Government’s $600 million Safe Roads programme, which targets the prevention of 900 deaths and serious injuries on high-risk rural state highways over the next decade.
