More Quake Damaged Highway Infrastructure Repaired

NZ Transport Agency – Canterbury/West Coast

11 September 2010

More Quake Damaged Canterbury Highway Infrastructure Repaired

The State Highway 1- Chaney’s on-ramp just north of Christchurch will re-open early next week after being damaged in last Saturdays big earthquake.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) says repairs to the on-ramp have gone well and it should be ready to use by Monday.

NZTA Canterbury State Highways Operations Manager Peter Connors says SH74 remains closed from the intersection of Dyers Road/Bridge Street to Metro Place until further notice. This is so the Christchurch City Council can replace damaged pipes across the highway affecting the operation of the waste water treatment plant - a detour for this section of SH74 is via Breezes, Cuthbert's and Maces Roads can be used by all traffic.

The SH74 Heathcote underpass also remains closed due to potential rock fall hazards above the road. A permanent repair is underway but could take up to a week to complete.

Mr Connors also reminded motorists that the Lyttelton Tunnel will be periodically closed to traffic in the days ahead. This is to allow for the safe passage of fuel and gas trucks through the tunnel. Delays of up to ten minutes can be expected during the closures.

Vehicles carrying dangerous goods are normally prohibited from using the tunnel, but earthquake damage has forced the closure of the Evans Pass Road, the normal access route for fuel and gas trucks to and from the port.

Mr Connors said fuel and gas trucks will be allowed through the tunnel under the supervision of Tunnel Control - i.e. one truck at a time with no other vehicles in the tunnel. Lighter vehicles carrying dangerous goods that can traverse the alternate Dyers Pass route between the city and the port will be required to use this route and will not be given access to the tunnel.

Temporary closures will be used as needed to allow the safe passage of fuel and gas trucks, but in order to minimise disruptions for motorists no closures will be enacted from 7am-9am, 12pm-1pm or 4pm-6pm.

Other state highways in the region currently affected by earthquake damage include:

State Highway 77 in mid-Canterbury is open with a two kilometre sign posted detour from Glentunnel to Glenroy, where there is substantial subsidence in the road. The slip is still moving and this detour will remain for some time with permanent repairs to commence early next week.

Up to date information on Canterbury state highways can be found at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 44 44 49.

For further information on the situation on the ground in Christchurch visit the council’s earthquake information page at http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/ or http://www.metroinfo.co.nz/

ENDS