A stretch of the Tākaka Hill has been reduced to one lane after a large amount of hillside slipped from under the road during last week’s wet weather.
Waka Kotahi says a large amount of earth slipped away on the Riwaka side of SH60 Tākaka Hill roughly one kilometre uphill from the Riwaka Valley Rd intersection. It is not a site that has needed fixing in the past, it says.
System manager Top of the South, Rob Service, says temporary traffic management is in place to move vehicles away from the underslip.
“The affected road section is down to a single lane, under stop/go traffic lights 24/7 and a 30kmh temporary speed limit. Bollards have also been installed to keep traffic clear of the underslip.”
Drivers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes when travelling over the hill.
Rob says an initial geotechnical assessment was carried out late last week.
“A more detailed geotechnical inspection will be completed as soon as possible to identify the appropriate solution for this site.”
“It’s important to acknowledge work to repair slips on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill following Cyclone Gita is holding up well. This section of highway is not one that has required attention in the past,” he says.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates the delays caused by the controls in place at the slip site will be frustrating for drivers. The public’s patience and cooperation are appreciated while work at this site is ongoing.
