People driving through or into Milton, in South Otago, will face detours from next Monday.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) crews are repaving the highway, part of State Highway 1, requiring traffic management and some detours off Union St for about a month.
All going well, the fresh road surface could be completed by early February.
Given many people are returning to work next Monday, people should build in extra time if they are making the trip to or from Dunedin via Milton over January and early February.
"Crews will be working shifts around the clock on this project, 24/7, given the importance of Union St to Milton," NZTA Otago journey manager Nicole Felts said.
"Detours will be clearly marked, with temporary traffic signals used some nights towards the last half of the project."
Businesses would remain open throughout the work, and any support for them would be appreciated, she said.
"People will need to slow down around this site with temporary speed restrictions and side road closures throughout," Miss Felts said.
As much as possible, the crews will minimise their footprint on nearby residents and businesses, as well as road users, but some level of noise, disruption to traffic and restricted driveway access would be inevitable, she said.
Footpaths within the site would be open to use but people needed to stay away from any dug-up areas, even if crews were not there.
The sealing work is weather-dependent, so if it rains the project will be extended.
Diversions
Temporary road changes in Milton:
Stage 1: Southbound lane closure, detour via Duthie St, Centennial Ave, Spenser St, Abercrombie St, back to SH1.
Stage 2: Northbound lane closure detour via Arthur St, Ajax St, Jura St, back to SH1.
Stage 3: Northbound lane closure detour via Arthur St, Ajax St, Eden St, back to SH1.
Stage 4: South end bridge — Stop/go traffic lights between Ossian St and Lowery St.
Stage 5: Stop/go traffic lights, overnights for about a week. — APL
