Manawatu Gorge update 2 December It s been another full-on week at the gorge. Observation tracks have been made, survey points (nails) have been set, tree felling and scrub clearing is done and the benching process is underway. The slip We have established more than 20 observation tracks to the left, right and top of the slip. This allows full monitoring of the slip and surrounding area, which is a crucial part of our safety protocol. Work will stop if we have any safety concerns and the work programme reassessed if necessary. Keeping everyone safe is paramount, and we have invited Department of Labour inspectors on site to make sure that our safety management systems are in line with best practice. Nibbling away at the scrub
Headed up the access track The track We have been forming a new track - just back from the top of the slip face, where the top of the batter, or first cut face, will be. This track is where the benching will start, and material will then be cleared from the bottom once the slip is stable. Forming the track across the top of the slip
We are also forming the hole where the large winch, nicknamed The Bandit, will be anchored. And we re bringing in Smokey too. This is The Bandit s twin another large winch to enable more machines to be working at the same time. The Bandit at work Alternative routes We are continuing to work on upgrading the local roads, which are taking a hammering from the extra traffic diverted along them. We are aware that there have been some issues with congestion on Woodlands Road so we are widening it and improving its drainage. This work will be completed in the next few weeks. The section of this road between Oxford and Sowry is being resurfaced and this will be finished before Christmas. The new surface and increased road width should help trucks pass each other more easily when they meet. Meanwhile on the Saddle Road we will be easing a few more corners and putting in another slow vehicle passing lane just north of the Tararua and Manawatu District Council border. Further road information signs are going up on the Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track. River closure notices and advanced warning signs will also be set up where jet boats access the river. More No engine braking signs are on the way for Ashhurst and we have also organised signs for the Bridge Cafe to let customers know they can still get through. And on a positive note, we ve heard lots of praise for the truckies using the alternative routes being considerate, pulling over when they can, and generally making life as easy as possible during this frustrating time. We re working hard to get them back on the main road with everyone else, but in the meantime we d just like to say thanks.
Local businesses We know some local businesses are doing it tough and are very grateful for your resilience and attitude. NZTA Regional Director Jenny Chetwynd came and met with some of you in Woodville this week and she was very impressed by your making lemonade out of lemons approach. I ve also had some very positive emails from Woodville residents, including the following. While you have heard mostly complaints and anger regarding the gorge closure and the inconvenience of it all, I would like to point out that it does not go un-noticed your hard work and constant efforts towards the clearing work and eventual re-opening, which we all look forward to as soon as is practical. We really appreciate comments like that, and I d like to say thanks again for your ongoing patience. How can we help? Let us know if there is something you think might make things easier and we ll see what we can do. DoC told us walkers weren t sure if the tracks were open, so we ve already re-jigged our signs to let them know that they are. We re also putting up signs to let Bridge Cafe customers know they can still get access. In fact, in case you didn t know, you can get to the Bridge Café by turning west at the Woodville end and driving over Ballance Bridge. Alternatively, follow the road through Ballance from the Pahiatua Track. Either way, they have yummy pizzas every Friday evening, and dining all weekend. Mock-up of the new Bridge Café sign Got a business in Woodville? Why not send us an email with a paragraph about who you are and what you do and we ll slot one or two into this update each week.
Recycling the rocks and dirt What do you do with 200,000 cubic meters of slip? A significant amount is likely to be recycled for use in the SH2 Napier Road Realignments at Corby Road and Papatawa north of Woodville. Rather than having to buy specially quarried material from another source, we ll be able to use approximately 35,000 cubic metres at Corby Road and potentially another 50,000 cubic metres at Papatawa. This will result in cost savings for NZTA, and it s great that we ll be able to put this material to such good use. You can see the media release we put out about this yesterday at the end of this email. Please remember that you can find all of our weekly updates, plus media releases and photographs on the NZTA s dedicated gorge web page (www.nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge). Please feel free to link to it from your own organisation s website or Facebook page if you think it would be helpful. And of course, please feel free to pass this update on. Have a good weekend, and as always, I m available on 06 953 6072 or at David.McGonigal@nzta.govt.nz. Best regards David 1 December Media Release NZTA recycling slip material for use in nearby road improvements The NZ Transport Agency is making good use of the material being cleared from the massive slip at the Manawatu Gorge, with a significant amount of the estimated 200,000 cubic metres of rock and dirt brought down in the slip likely to be recycled for use in nearby road works. State Highway Manager David McGonigal says some of the slip material will be used as a base for the nearby SH2 Napier Road Realignments at Corby Road and Papatawa north of Woodville. Mr McGonigal says that some of the material being recovered from the gorge is of good quality, and its use will make a real difference in construction costs for the two projects. Rather than having to buy specially quarried material from another source, we ll be able to make use of a significant quantity of the material cleared from gorge approximately 35,000 cubic metres at Corby Road and potentially another 50,000 cubic metres at Papatawa. It s ideal for a road base, and we re really pleased to be able to recycle it for this purpose. Mr McGonigal also thanked road users for their ongoing patience in dealing with the unsealed temporary road works through the Corby Road area. The recent wet weather has been a challenge during the critical phase of constructing the new pavement. In order to build the new alignment, traffic will have to be re-routed off the remaining existing sealed highway. We know this is frustrating for road users, and we thank them again for your patience and understanding.
Mr McGonigal said with the fine weather forecast for the rest of this week, the NZTA is optimistic that final preparation of the uphill section can be completed in readiness for sealing another 400 metres of new highway, on top of the 500 metres already completed.