State Highway 2 Waioeka Gorge Eighteenth Project update…

Operation

The geologists were on site yesterday to review the current slip face operation and to analyse the results of the slip movement surveys. The rocky outcrop mass has moved another 5mm in the last week, with the total movement of this area being 25mm, this is a result of consolidation of the rock face material which is highly fractured.

The excavator activity to create ramps further up the slip face has been hampered as the slip material higher up the slope is running down and falling onto the ramp in front of the excavator. This material is being removed and other methods of creating the ramp without causing material to slide is being discussed with the geologists. The excavator needs sufficient material to build the track on which the machine will manoeuvre. The digger will move further up the slip face in a zig-zag fashion and to attack the rocky outcrop mass from above. There is insufficient material below the rocky outcrop to drive straight up so slip material needs to be shifted around so the excavator can track upward and start to remove this rocky outcrop material from above. Weather permitting this ramp work will continue on for the next week or two.

ends

…