A project to upgrade a culvert in Roxburgh, Central Otago, has finished ahead of schedule and the road will reopen tomorrow afternoon – Friday, 11 November 2022.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has replaced the culvert at Golf Course Creek - part of a flood protection resilience programme for the area. The work resulted in a full road closure with detours in place.
Waka Kotahi Senior Network Manager Robert Choveaux confirms the works have been completed early.
“We scheduled work over an eight-day period but good planning and weather have ensured we finished early.
“The works included a significant detour. We know this will have been particularly inconvenient for locals and really appreciate their patience while completing these really important works. This is the second culvert to be replaced in the area and will alleviate pressure when it floods.”
The culvert, which measures four metres by two metres, was installed in stages and included nine main sections and four wing walls.
Project engineer Sam Gillaly describes it as a challenging installation.
“With anything of this size planning and logistics are important. Each piece has to be lowered into place by crane and then manoeuvred into place by the crews on the ground.
“Due to material shortages and delays we had a short window to complete this and the culvert itself only arrived on site on Wednesday from Winton.”
The road closure was also utilised to complete other works in the area including pavement rehabilitation at Millers Flat and tree removal by Roxburgh Golf Club.
Golf Course Creek is the second of three culverts identified for renewal in the area, with Pumphouse Creek culvert already replaced in 2021 and Black Jacks up for renewal next year, 2023 – subject to materials.
The road will reopen at approximately 4:00pm (Friday November 11) and bypass signs will be removed once work is complete.
While the road will reopen, further associated works are required and speed restrictions will be in place roughly four weeks. This includes installing guardrail, adding chip seal, building the concrete shoulder and reinstalling utility and telecom services.
SH8 Roxburgh Central Otago project team, Waka Kotahi Senior Network Manager Robert Choveaux (left) and Aspiring Highways Project Engineer Sam Gillaly
