Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Planning is underway for recovery work on state highways in the top of the South Island.
The region’s highways have taken a battering from two recent bad weather events, with key routes in Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough affected.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager for the Lower North Island/Top of the South, says some areas have suffered significant damage and will need substantial repairs.
“On the Tākaka Hill, we have two slip sites and a slump site that will need remedial work. We expect single-lane stop/go traffic management to remain in place on the hill until the end of the year.”
There are also scour, slip, and washout repairs needed on State Highway 6 from Belgrove to Kohatu, and an underslip site at Coal Creek near Owen River that needs to be fixed.”
“We also have work to do in Nelson. Everyone is well aware of the recent closures of State Highway 6 Rocks Road and the slips on this road. We are working on a long-term solution that will see new retaining works done along the top of the cliff face,” Mr Owen says.
SH6 Rocks Road slip site.
And he says work is also required in Marlborough, particularly on State Highway 63 through the Wairau Valley.
“Here, the most pressing task is the washout at Andersons Bridge. Although there are also road repairs needed west of the Waihopai Bridge where the highway has suffered flood scouring.”
Mr Owen says it is essential people realise these are areas which are likely to have ongoing work for some time.
“We are still working through the details – getting geotechnical and site assessments completed and working on designs and solutions.”
“Once these are finalised, we will be able to share more details about how long specific sites will be affected, and how long people can expect to experience travel delays while repairs are completed. We will keep the community updated,” Mr. Owen says.
He warns disruptions and delays will be ongoing.
“Our contractors will work as hard as they can to complete projects as quickly as they can. But it is important people appreciate the top of the South has experienced three major rain events in quick succession.”
“The damage caused will take time to fix. We are talking months, not weeks,” Mr Owen says.
Affected state highway sites, top of the South Island
|
Location |
Damage |
|
SH60 Tākaka Hill |
Slump site at Drummond’s Corner, underslip site, and underslip/overslip site |
|
SH6 Rocks Road |
Slip site |
|
SH6 Kohatu |
River scour site |
|
SH6 Spooners Saddle |
Slip and fallen trees sites |
|
SH6 Norris Gully |
River/stream scour site |
|
SH6 Coal Creek |
Underslip site |
|
SH63 Wairau Valley |
Andersons Bridge washout, road scour west of Waihopai Bridge |
Mr Owen says there are areas, like the scour site on State Highway 6 at Kohatu, that will have temporary repairs in place ahead of permanent work later on.
“For the highway at Kohatu, a full road rebuild is planned for our upcoming state highway summer maintenance season. It means there will be a temporary road surface in place ahead of that happening.
“To be effective and durable, road rebuilds have to be done during warmer and drier weather. So, we can’t get this section of State Highway 6 fully rebuilt over winter and early spring,” Mr Owen says.
General advice
Drivers can expect road works at multiple locations on state highways across the top of the South Island over the coming months. These will create travel delays, and road users must allow extra time for their journeys.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi strongly encourages people to check road conditions before they travel.
