Update 13 November: Repairs to an underslip on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill are making great progress, with extra work able to be completed during the current maintenance closures on the route.
The project is on track to be completed, and the road back to two lanes before Christmas.
Drivers who regularly travel over the hill will notice a change in access through the works site. They will be driving on the wall-side of the site. This change is to allow the team to install anchors on the hillside.
Road users must follow the 30 km/h temporary speed limit when travelling through the site. This keeps both drivers and work crews safe.
Update 17 October: Contractors are making good progress on underslip repairs, with the work on track to be completed before Christmas.
Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says since work began in August, contractors have driven retaining poles into the bank for the retaining wall and installed drainage to divert water away from the underslip area.
“While the team encountered harder than expected ground conditions, the good news is the retaining wall has ended up with a much stronger foundation.”
A hybrid method is being used onsite as the retaining wall takes shape. This involves auguring the pile holes, inserting the heavy steel H piles and using a vibratory hammer to finalise their position. Once the piles are in the ground, they are encased in concrete to strengthen the structure.
Mr Service says the team expects to have all the piles in the ground in the next fortnight and the timber lagging completed by early November.
“Anchor piles will then be installed to add extra strength before drainage is installed on the other side of the road and a culvert is replaced.”
One lane stop/go temporary traffic management will remain in place until this work is completed for the safety of road users and contractors.
“We want to thank road users for their patience, and for their waves and thumbs up to contractors as they travel through the site,” Mr Service says.
Contractors will make the most of upcoming Tākaka Hill night closures, beginning Sunday, 3 November to speed up work at the site. More information on this work will be shared next week.
22 August
Contractors will be on the ground on Monday to begin repairs on an underslip on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill.
The slip, uphill from the Riwaka Valley Road intersection, happened during wet weather in late June. The road has been restricted to one lane and stop/go traffic management while planning for repairs has been underway.
Drone shot of underslip site, SH60 Tākaka Hill.
Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says work crews will start work on the slip next Monday (26 August).
“They’ll start with drainage works uphill from the slip before a new retaining wall is built. Keeping water away from the site is essential to prevent more slips in the future.”
Mr Service says the repair is a substantial job, requiring heavy equipment and vehicles on site.
“We’ll be using around 30 steel posts, each 12 metres long, timber lagging, and anchor bars to stabilise and reinforce the slope. There will also be drains behind the new reinforcing wall to control sub-surface water.”
“The road will also be resurfaced once the slip is repaired. The aim is to get all this complete and the road back to two lanes before Christmas,” Mr Service says.
The road will remain restricted to one lane under stop/go traffic management while the repairs are completed.
Mr Service says it means drivers can still expect short delays while travelling over the hill.
“Where possible, we will work with other maintenance planned for the Tākaka Hill to ensure the job is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. We will make sure the community is kept informed so they can plan their travel effectively.”
“Fixing this slip is a priority for us. We know the Tākaka Hill is a critical transport connection,” Mr Service says.
