TREC Tairāwhiti Recovery Update 

Issue 7

3 October 2024

Tēnā koe

Welcome to our fortnightly Tairāwhiti TREC e-newsletter, where you can find the latest information on recovery progress across the rohe. 

This edition includes an update on the progress at Whakaari Bluff, work finishing up at Mangakuri Stream Bridge and also where on SH35 you can catchup for a kōrero with our TREC representatives next week.

State highway snapshot

Below is a snapshot of construction works either recently completed and/or underway: 

SH2 recently completed  

• Otoko Slip Soldier Pile Walls (D1601A) 

SH2 underway

• Otoko Hill Slips #2 (D1601G)
• Otoko Hill Slips #3 (D1601I)

SH2 coming soon 

• Rakauroa (D1503A)
• Allen’s Existing Wall (D1601J)
• Otoko Overslip #2 (D1601L) 
• Waikohu Bridge #3 (D1701C) 

SH35 recently completed 

• Awatere Underslip #2 (F2402C) 

SH35 underway 

• Rotokautuku Bridge repairs – early works beneath the bridge (F2801E) see road notifications below for the latest info on revised road closure date 
• Makarika Valley dropout #3 (F2803E)
• Ihungia Road (F2901J) 
• Mangahauini Gabion Wall (F3002E)
• Whakaari Bluff rock revetment (F3201C) 
• Mangakuri Stream Bridge (F3501A) 
• Hikuwai Bridge No.1 early investigations (F5180) 

SH35 coming soon (Oct-Dec) 

• Awatere Gully (F2402D) 
• Jeru Culvert (F2801D)
• Makarika Valley dropout #2 (F2803D)
• Kopuaroa 1 Slip (F2901B)
• Kopuaroa 1 Stream Bridge (F2901I)

Highway highlights

TREC on the Coast ahead of busy summer construction season

TREC will be joining the Gisborne District Council Rural Roadshow on Tuesday 8 October at:

• Te Puna Manaaki a Ruataupere in Ruatoria from 10am to 12pm
• Heartlands Services Centre & The Bank in Ruatoria from 1pm to 3pm 

Pop in for a kōrero and a cuppa to find out more about the work planned up SH35 this summer season; it’s going to be busy.

Work is underway on Ihungia Road just north of Tokomaru Bay

Work begins at SH35 Ihungia Road

Work is underway to reinstate the road shoulder at Ihungia Road just north of Tokomaru Bay.

Construction of a roadside swale (channels to assist with stormwater run-off) from this steep section of road will help to reduce erosion and flooding in the future.

Traffic lights and a one-way system are in place while this work takes place.

Good progress at SH35 Whakaari Bluff

Work to repair a drop-out at Whakaari Bluff near Mangatuna is making great progress. 

Here we are stabilising the hillside, installing drainage and undertaking rock revetment work which helps to minimise erosion of the riverbank. This is expected to be finished by Christmas.

In the progress images below you can see a yellow lined silt net (curtain) that’s used to treat dirty water and encourage natural settlement of sediment. You can also see the rock revetment taking shape. 

Traffic lights and a one-way system are in place while this work takes place.

The photo series below shows the site from when it was damaged, how the river is being protected with a silt net and how the site is being repaired. Crews are continuing to work on the bluffs with completion expected by Christmas.

Finishing up at SH35 Mangakuri Stream Bridge

Rock revetment work is finishing up at Mangakuri Stream Bridge with the environmental team reinstating the stream now the construction works are nearing completion and the diversion is no longer required.

Progress at Mangakuri Stream Bridge

Road notifications 

SH35 Rotokautuku Bridge Closure – New Dates

The dates for the SH35 Rotokautuku Bridge Closure near Ruatoria has been rescheduled to Wednesday 23 October 12pm to 12.30pm. Further details will be shared here nearer to the closure date.

10km/h temporary speed limit on SH2 for underslip repairs

The southbound lane of State Highway 2 at Otoko Hill is closed, and a temporary speed limit of 10 km/h is in place for road repairs. 

An underslip (where the ground beneath the road collapses) has deteriorated.

Road crews are working to repair the damage and the situation is being monitored closely. 

Road users travelling through are advised to drive with extra caution and follow the instructions of traffic management crews on-site.

Summer maintenance works

Annual road renewals get underway this month

• SH35 Hicks Bay road rebuild: From 7 – 24 October between 6am and 6pm the road will be rebuilt at Te Araroa Rd, Hicks Bay between Hicks Bay Motel and the Scenic Lookout.
• SH35 Te Araroa Rd rebuild: From 14 – 30 October between 6am and 6pm the road will be rebuilt at Te Araroa, between Shortcut Rd and Pohutu Rd.

Stop/go traffic management and speed restrictions will be in place during this work. Please allow extra travel time.

Please sign-up to our weekly planned report, emailed direct to you every Friday with information on where weekly stop/go sites are located. Sign-up here: lynne.chaffey@downer.co.nz

Did you know?

Did you know the Bailey bridge connecting SH35 at Hikuwai is the longest in New Zealand at 85m in length? It will be removed when we complete the construction of the new bridge.

Did you know that after intense weather events in 2023, New Zealand’s most Googled definition was ‘culverts’. Read more about culverts and their crucial role on our state highways in our latest TREC Pānui.

Whakapā mai – Get in touch

For more information on the Transport Rebuild East Coast project:

• Email us: info@trec.nz
• Website: www.nzta.govt.nz/trec
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/east-coast-trec
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nztahbg
• Call us: 0800 80 TREC (0800 80 8732)

​If you spot an issue at a work site after hours, call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444449).

Sign-up to receive these newsletters:

• TREC Pānui (general newsletter)
• TREC Hawke's Bay regional fortnightly update
• This TREC Tairāwhiti regional fortnightly update

Local road network

Gisborne District Council is responsible for local roading recovery projects, for more information please click here. 

For up-to-date information on local road closures please click here.