Connecting Tairāwhiti to work in parallel with recovery, rebuild

The completed Bailey bridge installed after the Waikare River bridge was destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle. NZTA says it has the resources for recovery and rebuilding work such as this to be done alongside Connecting Tairāwhiti projects that have resumed since the cyclone struck. Hawke’s Bay Today picture

Rebuilding roads and bridges destroyed in Cyclone Gabrielle and restarting postponed highway widening projects will not result in a competition for resources, NZ Transport Agency says.

After NZTA Waka Kotahi recently resumed its State Highway 35 resilience and SH2/SH35 passing opportunities programmes as part of its Connecting Tairāwhiti project, The Gisborne Herald asked if the work was being prioritised over cyclone rebuild work and if it would draw resources away from the rebuild work being done by Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC).

NZTA senior project manager Richard Bayley yesterday said the focus for TREC and NZTA was on ongoing recovery works and planning for future rebuild projects along the state highway network.

“Connecting Tairāwhiti is happening in parallel and is a complementary package of works that do not take away from recovery or rebuild.

“TREC crews are delivering the ongoing recovery works and planning the rebuild programme. In parallel, NZTA is delivering the Connecting Tairāwhiti programme.

“The Connecting Tairāwhiti programme business case was developed in 2018 with support and input from the community, iwi and hapū and local businesses and organisations during subsequent consultation.

“For example, locals told us that more passing opportunities would help improve their experience of sharing the road, leading to reduced driver frustration and improved safety.

“State Highway 35 resilience and State Highway 2 and 35 passing opportunities projects (Connecting Tairāwhiti programme) came to a halt following Cyclone Gabrielle because the focus shifted to emergency response.

“It is vital that this important Connecting Tairāwhiti programme now continues alongside recovery works.

“It’s also important these projects are completed ahead of any future rebuild projects, which are likely to be more resource-intensive. There is sufficient resource to undertake both programmes of work in parallel now.

“Construction on all remaining sites in the programme will likely be completed by Christmas, depending on weather and ground conditions.

“NZTA and TREC are focused in parallel on continuing to restore access in places such as Devil’s Elbow and more permanent solutions for areas such as Waikare Gorge.

“For projects such as Waikare, comprehensive designs are under way.”

The Connecting Tairāwhiti work comprises resilience projects on SH35 to strengthen and stabilise the highway with an aim of keeping it open and functional in future weather events. Rock revetment works are planned at Turihaua Point to help to prevent coastal erosion.

A significant programme of works at Busby’s Hill kicked off in January this year to stabilise the weak hillsides as well as provide a new southbound slow vehicle bay and a mobile phone layby.

Passing opportunities on SH2 are well under way at Mohaka Viaduct and Kakariki, and these are due to be completed in early 2024.

Shoulder widening on SH2 at Maraetaha — a hot spot for unsafe passing manoeuvres — is also under way.