The Transport Agency has confirmed State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura will be reopened on 15 December.
It's been closed since last November's earthquake, forcing motorists travelling between Picton and Christchurch to take an inland route that adds about three hours to the trip.
The agency's earthquake manager Tim Crow said once the road was open again, several sites would still be under construction and there would be some unsealed surfaces, lane closures and stop-go traffic controls.
Parts of it would also be closed at night for several months as a safety precaution.