Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Recovery works are stepping up a gear on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill this week, with nighttime road closures planned this week.
The route will be closed to all traffic on Thursday and Friday nights this week (11 and 12 September), between 8 pm and 5:30 am.
There is also potential for the road to be closed on Saturday night (13 September) if extra time is needed to complete the planned work.
Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says understanding the slip’s geology is essential for developing a proper repair.
“Our contractors will be using a large drill rig to drill into an overslip at Goodall’s Straight. The drilling will provide information that is critical for understanding the geology of the slip and will also allow us to install drains to dewater and remove stress on the slip failure plane.”
Because of the size of the drilling rig and the work involved, Mr Service says a road closure is unavoidable.
“The drilling rig to be used is a big piece of equipment and will take up the entire road. Once it starts drilling, it cannot be paused or moved to let traffic through. This means traffic will not be able to get past it while it is working.”
“We realise the impact this will have on traffic, which is why the drilling will be done at night. Traffic volumes are much lower on the Tākaka Hill at night, so these night closures will inconvenience fewer people,” Mr Service says.
Regular users of the route are urged to plan ahead and be ready for the closures. While access will be available for emergency services, the route will be closed to all other road users.
Work schedule:
- Thursday and Friday nights (11 and 12 September), 8 pm – 5:30 am (Closure possible for the night of Saturday, 13 September, if required)
- SH60 Tākaka Hill CLOSED between Aaron Creek Road and Riwaka Valley Road.
- Access will be maintained for residents on each side of the worksite, but residents will not be able to travel through the worksite during work hours.
- Access will be available for emergency services.
