Mr Laird said the ongoing rock weathering and debris flows were difficult to prevent with engineering measures.
“It is especially challenging when they occur outside of the road corridor.”
Mr Laird said TREC was aiming to improve the road’s resistance during wet weather events.
A reduction in the impact of debris flows and landslides, and any associated clean-up on the operation of the road, is a good measure of progress for the manager.
“Erosion, debris flow and the risk of landslides are common across New Zealand, and the Devil’s Elbow site is no different to many areas of the country with steep terrain.”
Proposed options to improve the resilience of Devil’s Elbow include treatments to the hillsides beside the road to reduce the risk of slips and rockfall occurring.
Sections of the road could be widened, cutting steps into the hillside and creating a wider shoulder, so that if debris falls, at least one lane could remain open to allow the clean-up to happen faster and to keep people connected and freight moving.
Options for a bridge or a large culvert are under consideration in this location to better manage the large volumes of water under the highway during extreme weather events, and to reduce the risk of the highway being undermined or washed away.
All of this information will be factored into the design development of options for Devil’s Elbow rebuild work and decision-making criteria about how easily, safely and cost-effectively a resilient solution can be constructed.
Community feedback on the options and construction duration is an important factor and TREC will take this into account during the selection of a preferred option.
On Tuesday evening, locals gathered to share their roading knowledge with TREC representatives.
Beef and sheep farmer Dave Martin wants to see a new alternative route developed.
“People do not understand how much of an impediment that road is for Wairoa.
“It is such a shit road and that was prior to Gabrielle.
“The funding that is available should not constrain what could be done here.
“The East Coast is competing against the other regions too for this funding.”
Mr Martin referred to the costs for them to sell and buy livestock.
“Products and everything we have to sell goes on that road and everything we need comes to us on that road. Kids’ sport, family connections, schools . . . it is just massive.”
Another farmer, Mike Thomas, asks why spend that amount when it will not stop further damage? Why not introduce a toll?
A TREC spokesperson said that would require an alternative route that did not exist.
Locals countered that even though there were lower traffic volumes, why was the region’s contribution to the export earnings not a factor in the funding model?
An alternative route via Te Pohue and Tūtira was considered more robust, or from Darky’s Spur to Tūtira. These were also discussed, as was developing the rail corridor as an alternative route or widening it so it could accommodate both rail and road, which would require a further 40m width at least.
Another was continuing across the ridge at Waikohau and more passing bays.
The new bridge proposal, bypassing Devils Elbow, found some favour and is one of seven options under consideration.
For every option there are trade-offs.
“You have to go for it. You only have one shot at it,” Mr Thomas said.
■ Jump online to give your feedback or complete the form or use their QR code at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/transport-rebuild-east-coast/
