Work to repair damage from Cyclone Gita on State Highway 60, Tākaka Hill between Riwaka and Tākaka.
During the final construction phase of the remaining five slip sites, Tākaka Hill road will be reduced to a single lane with traffic lights at each end of the work site to manage traffic flow and keep everyone safe.
Retaining walls are well underway for two of the five slip sites under construction. The foundations for the final three sites have nearly reached full depth and work will begin in the new year building the retaining walls.
Challenges across these five sites has been significant, including the geology. Decomposed rock and weak soil made it much harder to reach a solid foundation before being able to build up extremely high retaining walls in narrow and steep gullies, with difficult access. This has meant the project has gone longer than originally planned.
We’re making good progress and working hard to have two lanes open by mid-2021, with project completion by end of 2021. Naturally, weather and events beyond our control will play an important part in achieving these milestones.
Please drive with care through our roadwork site and follow the traffic signals which are there to keep you and the work crew safe.
Thank you for your patience while these important works are being carried out.
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Waka Kotahi Project Manager Andrew Adams gives an update of the progress on site and explains the complexities the crew are facing.
Check out Tākaka Hill repairs drone footage from Cyclone Gita in February 2018 to November 2020.