Council presses Waka Kotahi over Tākaka Hill repairs

The Tasman District Council regional transport committee is seeking answers and solutions from Waka Kotahi in response to the community frustration over Tākaka Hill Rd repairs.

State highway 60 was extensively damaged when ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita hit the area in February 2018, leaving the road reduced to a single lane in places with traffic control ever since.

Waka Kotahi says they have faced significant delays due to weather and geological issues over the past three years to an estimated cost of $28 million.

Waka Kotahi senior project manager Andrew Adams says he acknowledges the "inconvenience and frustration" caused by the repairs and that they are working hard to have two lanes open by the end of the year.

Golden Bay Ward councillor Celia Butler led with a motion requesting a better timeline for the projected completion of the hill repairs and asked for more public communication about progress on the road rebuild project.

Committee chair, councillor Stuart Bryant, is seeking a response and says no one is denying the challenge the project has provided.

“However, as the only road access to Golden Bay, clarity about the remaining works and an end-date to the project would provide residents and commercial users with a light at the end of the tunnel,” says Stuart.

Waka Kotahi says they are confident that the current timeline is achievable, subject to relevantly good weather over the winter months.

"We would like to assure everyone, the public, community and stakeholders, that Waka Kotahi is working hard with the contractors to have the road open to two lanes by the end of this year," says Andrew.

Andrew says they have faced unpredicted challenges across the final five sites. Decomposed rock and weak soil made it harder to reach solid foundations before being able to build up the retaining walls.

The deepest site plunges at around 20 metres below road level which Waka Kotahi says presents significant logistical challenges getting machinery and crews working there safely.

Covid-19 also had an impact, delaying the actual start of excavation at the five complex sites to after the level 4 shutdown was over.

The five remaining sites under construction are now able to be regularly worked on simultaneously, with retaining walls now either under construction or nearing completion to road level.

Waka Kotahi warns travellers several night closures will be necessary over the coming months to undertake essential drainage and pavement works across the live road.