Damage to the Thames Coast Rd at Te Puru, which was closed after storm surges hammered the area in January. Photo / David Van
Damage to the Thames Coast Rd at Te Puru, which was closed after storm surges hammered the area in January. Photo / David Van
Work to rebuild State Highway 25, the Thames Coast Rd, will take three months longer than initially expected.
The NZ Transport Agency has announced that its original deadline of March for the completion of works on the storm damaged highway, has been extended until June this year.
The announcement came after detailed investigation revealed more damage than first thought to sea protection walls and the road surface.
A further 6.7km of sea wall was identified as needing strengthening after the January 5 storm and king tides.
Meanwhile, the restriction on north-bound heavy trucks between Te Puru and Manaia will be lifted by the end of this week.
Trucks over five tonnes were prohibited from the highway to prevent any further damage to the road.
NZTA systems manager Karen Boyt said it is bringing in additional teams from Higgins to speed up the reconstruction work.
"We appreciate that this delay is frustrating for locals and travellers on SH25, however we need to ensure that we do this important strengthening work, so that SH25 can better withstand future storm events," she said.
The first assessment of the highway was done about 12 days after the storm of January 4 and 5.
Much of the sea wall where the additional work is required had initially been assessed as needing only minor repairs.
The state highway was closed from Thames to Manaia due to slips, rock falls and dangerous conditions. Photo / Michael Shepherd-Finch
Further investigation revealed a number of additional sites that suffered only superficial damage have been weakened enough that without additional strengthening the road could be undermined in the future.
Repairs to the road surface will also need to take place on more sections of the highway.
"It's worth doing this work now, while we have the crews on-site, to rebuild a stronger and more resilient SH25," Boyt said.
Because work will be completed during winter, a temporary seal may be laid which will require a permanent seal to be put down next summer.
While this work is on-going, drivers on this section of SH25 should continue to expect delays with stop/go traffic control and speed restrictions at different sites.
The Thames Coast Rd is open to campervans, motor caravans and the likes, however there is an alternate route to Coromandel Town by going through Tairua and Whitianga.
NZTA has committed to spending $8.3 million on repairing and resealing SH25 and SH25A over the next three years.
Thames Coast Rd suffered significant damage, slips and rockfall after heavy rain and king tides during the first storm of the year.
