Tararua roads take a battering from destructive weather events

The dropout on Mangahei Rd, east of Dannevirke, following the early September storm.

The Tararua District Council had an unprecedented $5 million in applications to NZTA for emergency works to repair massive storm damage on its vast roading network in the past year.

And with major repairs just completed, heavy downpours weren't what the Tararua Alliance crews wanted at the beginning of September.

But rain it did. During the week beginning September 3, constant rain caused significant damage and disruption on the roading network again. Almost 200mm of rain was recorded at Horizons Regional Council's Akitio at Toi Flat station, between Dannevirke and Weber over the week.

"However, local farmers confirmed more was unofficially measured at Weber and Pongaroa, between 250mm and 300mm," Chris Chapman, the Tararua Alliance manager, has told district councillors.

A number of sites suffered severe damage, which is complex, requiring geotechnical investigations and engineered designs to ensure effective, site specific and best whole of life cost solutions, Chapman said.

"An emergency works funding application is also being prepared, using the inspection information, and submitted to the NZTA with the expectation the repairs will be subsidised at 86 per cent."

During the early September storm multiple roads were temporarily closed due to large slips or dropouts and Tararua Alliance staff worked through the nights and weekends with a focus on maintaining accessibility by keeping roads open and motorist safety.

"On top of the many slips and fallen trees removed during the week, network inspections identified more than 400 faults caused by the weather event which are being assessed, prioritised, programmed and actioned," Chapman said.

A dropout on Mangahei Rd undercut the road and forced the closure of the road for a number of days, with a minor, temporary retreat constructed around the site to enable access, although alternative routes were available while the road was closed.

Also, on Route 52 between Weber and Waione, a large hillside has continually slipped on to the road. Multiple slips occurred over the week, forcing numerous closures of the road, but alternative routes were available while the road was closed.

And with more heavy rain overnight Monday and continuing Tuesday this week, Akitio resident Donna De'Admin said she thought, "here we go again", when she heard the rain on her roof.

"I'm pleased to see the sun shining this morning again," she said. "But it hasn't been good out here on the roads and on Sunday on the drive into town [Dannevirke] I counted 22 slips."

However, there is some good news for the district. The National Land Transport Programme has now been confirmed by the NZTA, Chapman said, with the district council's submission to this approved in its entirety, including the $1.225m for footpath maintenance, renewal and construction (which includes the renewal of footpaths in Pahiatua as part of the Main Street Upgrade project).

"It's a great result," Chapman said.