The project works to stabilise the cliff face above State Highway 59 are being extended into February to make the slope safer.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Wellington/Top of the South, says contractors are working hard to complete the next phase of works, but there are still a number of significant tasks to do.
“The nature of the slope and soil is such that it requires some careful engineering to make it stable. Our crews have got a lot of work done – such as installing mesh, rock anchors and drains, but there’s still a lot to do. This includes installing swale drains (ditches), shotcreting slopes (spraying concrete), and getting the face ready for new vegetation that will help keep the slope stable long-term.”
Mesh installation and shotcreting work, SH59 Pukerua Bay
Mark Owen says it means work at the site will continue until late February, or later if bad weather cause delays.
“It’s not just the slope face that requires work. Our crews will also need to reform the shoulder on the state highway and install new drains and streetlights. Work on the adjacent footpath and cycleway also needs to be done. This is a substantial project and ensuring this route’s resilience is a priority for us. We’re spending around $4.5 million on these works, and it’s important we take the time to get them right.”
While this work is underway, stop/go traffic control will remain in place. Regular users of State Highway 59 will need to factor this into their travel times and expect short delays. Waka Kotahi wants to thank drivers for their patience and understanding while this essential work is done.
Waka Kotahi is providing regular updates to the public as the severe weather continues to affect Aotearoa this week. Our Journey Planner page is updated by our traffic operations centres 24/7 to provide the latest available information on state highway closures and disruptions. Remember to refresh the page when checking the status of highways to ensure the latest updates are displayed.
