Source: Radio New Zealand
The completed project which stood up well to heavy rain in January. Suppled / NZTA
A critical section of State Highway 35 has been raised by almost a metre as part of an upgrade to make the road more flood resilient.
The New Zealand Transport Agency says the 230 metre section at Rototahe, just south of Tolaga Bay, is typically the first to flood and close during extreme weather events.
The now completed upgrade will help reduce road closures and keep it open during severe weather and emergencies.
Six new culverts have also been installed and two more upgraded, increasing the site’s water-carrying capacity.
Transport Rebuild East Coast alliance was responsible for the work.
Project manager Richard Bayley said the upgrade has already proven its value.
“We were pleased to see that it performed well in the late January rain event, as the road had been lifted to its final height. This work is an example of the resilience being built into the network and will provide communities, freight and first responders with a more reliable route.”
Suppled / NZTA
TREC partnered with local Iwi Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti throughout the project. Kaitiaki lead Anne McGuire said the project reflected the importance of SH35 to local communities.
“SH35 is a lifeline for our communities. This upgrade will make a real difference to those that travel this road to Gisborne regularly,” she said.
Work on the second flood resilience site which is being funded through cost savings – SH2 Hakanui Straight project (formerly Nesbitt’s Dip) – is expected to be completed next month.
The highway has been raised by around 3 metres and culverts have been installed to help manage water and protect the road. Remaining work on the project includes road surfacing and marking, safety barriers and signage.
As of January, almost 90 percent of the overall Tai Rāwhiti recovery programme has been completed.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
