SH60 Takaka Hill repairs

Kia ora

Welcome to our latest project update from the Tākaka Hill repairs team.

For everyone’s safety, and in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, only safety and emergency works can continue under Alert Level 4. The sites have been made safe until work can continue.

Following is the work we've completed during August:

Site 6 – The retaining wall is now complete and the new culvert will be installed across the road during the 14-night road closure in September.
Site 7 – Installation of the large (1800 diameter) culverts has been completed. The new pavement will be installed during the 14-night road closure in September.
Site 9 – The retaining wall has now been completed to road level. The new pavement will be constructed in September.
Site 11 – The retaining wall is now 100% complete.
Site 13 – The retaining wall is 90% built, and the second of the two new culverts will be installed in September.

The images below give you a glimpse into the progress being made beneath the road at each site - which is not always visible when you're driving.

And further down you'll find more information about the upcoming night closure so you can plan ahead.

Visit our gallery for all of the project's visual updates


	Site 11 – preparing to install culvert during the June night closure.

	Plan ahead for upcoming 14-night road closure Monday 6 to Monday 20 September, from 9pm to 5am each night This 14-night planned closure is to install large new culverts (pipes) at Sites 6 and 13 to ensure stormwater moves efficiently through the sites, and to construct road pavement at Sites 7, 9 and 11. These works are Covid-19 and weather dependant. Under Alert Level 3 this work can be undertaken following strict health and safety protocols. As we reach the final construction stages further night closures are necessary to carry out essential drainage and pavement works. For safety reasons, and to minimise disruption to road users, this work must be done at night. We'll let you know well in advance the dates for future night closures so you can plan ahead. If you need access over the hill for night work or essential commitments, please email takakahill@nzta.govt.nz or call Kane Reihana on 027 886 4508. We will do our best to accommodate your needs, but cannot guarantee access. Access is always available for emergency services throughout the closure.

Challenges of winter weather on site

Cold fronts racing through in winter, snow covered ranges, and all sites (except 13) not seeing sunlight for the entire day, has made for cold working conditions for the crew.

Image: Joe Dempsey, carpenter, is from the village of Iva in Samoa.

Hand built wall

The new walls have extensive internal reinforcement to allow them to stand steeply but remain stable, even in the event of a major earthquake.

The front faces are made of hand-stacked natural stone sourced from a local quarry.

While this is labour intensive, the strong interlocking that results, helps to prevent damage from water that may flow over the walls in future storms.

The hand-stacked rock also provides a clean, natural look and requires little or no maintenance.

Image: The retaining wall of Site 6 has 12 metres of wire baskets filled with rock.

Levelling the layers

After every 150mm of fill is laid down and rolled over for a smooth surface, the area is re-surveyed to ensure that the whole structure is as ‘solid as a rock’.

Image: Rory Geare, graduate engineer, from Richmond.

Worker leaning over retaining wall to check capping beam

Topping off with capping beams

Heavy curved reinforced concrete beams are set into the road along the top of the wall. The beams securely tie the hand-stacked facing into the new pavement above. These beams also provide a strong foundation for safety rails along the top of the wall. The beams are constructed in place, with the complex steel reinforcing requiring careful positioning before the concrete is poured.

Image: Henry Gin, rigger with 35 years’ experience, checking the stone wall joined to the capping beam under construction.

Cyclist shuttle service reminder...

Keen cyclists are still venturing to Golden Bay through winter, and we can help with a free shuttle service to transport them and their bikes through the work site area safely while construction is underway.

When Covid-19 lockdown restrictions lift and longer distance cycling can resume, cyclists can call the freephone 0800 909 605 or 021 226 9664 when they arrive at either end of the lights to be picked up. The phone number is displayed at each set of traffic lights.


	Find out more


	Email us at takakahill@nzta.govt.nz Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/takaka-hill

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