The NZ Transport Agency’s West Coast contracting teams worked hard to reopen State Highway 6 along the South Island’s West Coast at the weekend after a significant washout scoured and undermined the highway.
After an early afternoon closure on Sunday, the highway was back open before 8 pm with a temporary solution in place.
The damage done on Sunday:
After the weekend fix to enable the highway to open to one lane:
“The washout occurred after about 45mm of rain fell over one hour in this area on Sunday near Lake Paringa and more than 100mm of rain fell over two hours,” says the Transport Agency’s Regional Performance Manager Pete Connors.
“The creek rose quickly and scoured out existing upstream rock protection as well as a weir downstream of the bridge. Whilst the contracting team got the highway reopened to one lane by bridging the gap, a more permanent solution is now being put in place.
“While we are making permanent repairs, drivers can expect short delays for the next two to three weeks around this site.”
Pete Connors says the reinstatement is expected to cost in the vicinity of $150,000.
