Work is progressing well on the installation of the first of the three rockfall fences being built across the Diana Falls slip face to reinstate two-lane, 24/7 traffic access through Haast Pass.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Senior Network Manager Mark Pinner says drilling has been completed for the anchor posts for the first of the fences and work is underway installing the mesh.
“The recent spell of good weather has allowed us to make good progress on the site after storm conditions in early June brought rocks weighing up to three tonne and other material onto State Highway 6, causing irreparable damage to some of the anchor post bases that had been drilled on the site.”
State Highway 6 through Haast Pass, from Makarora to Haast township, has been reduced to single-lane traffic and is closed every night from 5pm to 9am since there was a massive slip at the site in September last year.
“The mesh for this first rockfall fence at the top of the slip face is being installed this week.”
He says the fence stands six metres high to catch any rocks that may still come down the slip face and the mesh drapes across the slip to help prevent any material sliding off the mountainside.
“Once work on this top fence is completed, it will enable us to proceed quicker with the installation of the remaining two fences as it provides a safety barrier and improves conditions for those working on site.”
Work has begun removing the remaining loose material and rock in this area above the second fence. Drilling will soon begin on the anchor posts for this second fence.
Mr Pinner says when completed, the rockfall fences at Diana Falls will be some the biggest and most significant rockfall fences ever installed in New Zealand. “It has been important to get the world’s leading technology installed at the site because of the nature of the environment in which it is located.”
The work remains on schedule for completion in September, if the weather remains favourable in coming weeks.
For more information please contact:
Jan McCarthy
Media Manager - Christchurch
NZ Transport Agency
T: 03 964 2885
M: 021 427 442
E: jan.mccarthy@nzta.govt.nz
