Government begins $40m resilience work on Milford road
The Government is starting construction on State Highway 94 to prevent rockfalls, slips and washouts that threaten the only land route to Milford Sound.
The Government will begin resilience upgrades to State Highway 94 between Te Anau and Milford using $40 million from Budget 2026, as part of a wider $150 million-plus package to strengthen five vulnerable mainland state highways. The road is the only land access into Milford Sound, New Zealand's top natural tourist attraction, which is expected to draw close to one million visitors this year. Initial work will start at Pop's Corner/View Lookout, where the narrow roadway will be widened and rock will be used to protect the road shoulder against scouring from the Eglinton River. Further work will be carried out at Marian Hill, where rock anchors and concrete slabs will strengthen an existing retaining wall that supports the highway. Additional work will follow at six more sites on SH94. The funding package will also address resilience risks to State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill, State Highway 6 Cromwell to Kingston, and State Highway 6 Haast to Hāwea. Risks across these routes include rockfall, slips, flooding and washouts that can cut off communities, tourism and freight connections. The investment is intended to reduce disruptions for communities, provide greater certainty for businesses, improve freight movements, and enhance visitor access.
What it means
Residents, tourists and freight operators using State Highway 94 and four other South Island routes are affected from now, as construction begins this month. Work is scheduled to occur at multiple sites on SH94 over coming months, with the objective of preventing road closures caused by natural hazards. Communities and businesses depending on these routes for tourism and freight access can expect improved reliability, though construction may cause temporary disruptions during the upgrade period.
From the document
The Government allocated around $40 million in Budget 2026 to fund resilience upgrades to State Highway 94 (SH94) between Te Anau and Milford, as part of a wider $150 million-plus package to strengthen five of the mainland's most vulnerable state highways,Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager, 16 October 2026
This road is the only land access into Milford Sound, which is New Zealand's top natural tourist attraction and expected to draw close to one million visitors this year.Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager, 16 October 2026
Work will start at busy tourist pullover area, Pop's Corner/View Lookout, where the narrow roadway will be widened and the rock used elsewhere on the highway corridor to protect the road shoulder against scouring from the Eglinton River.Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager, 16 October 2026
Further work will follow nearby at Marian Hill, where rock anchors and an underpinning concrete slab will be installed to strengthen an existing retaining wall that supports SH94.Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager, 16 October 2026
The funding package will also be used to address ongoing resilience risks to State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill, State Highway 6 Cromwell to Kingston, and State Highway 6 Haast to Hāwea. Risks include rockfall, slips, flooding and washouts that can cut off communities, tourism and freight connections.Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager, 16 October 2026
This investment will mean fewer disruptions for communities, greater certainty for businesses, more reliable freight movements, and better access for visitors.Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager, 16 October 2026
Read the full release (Beehive)
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