State Highway 2 (SH2) through the Waioeka Gorge remains closed following large slips that occurred on Friday 2 March and Saturday 3 March.

Approximately 100,000 cubic metres of slip material came down on Saturday 3 March at about 5.00pm.

The construction activity at the slip site has been divided into three zones. Zone 1 is located near the top of the slope, Zone 2 at mid height and Zone 3 is at the base of the slope face.

Zone 1 is now relatively stable and the focus is now around removing bulk slip material sitting in the middle of the slip face. Slip material is already being removed from the base of the slope and access tracks are now fully operation from both sides of base.

In this issue:

• Operation update
• Alternative options…

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Operation update
The crucial focus onsite for today and tomorrow is to stabilise a large rocky outcrop situated in the middle of the slope face (Zone 2). We estimate that this outcrop is made up of approximately 20,000 cubic metres of material, and it needs to come down in order to stabilise the slip face. Winching and sluicing will be used to bring this material down.

A safe drop zone has been created on the Gisborne side of the slip face, which will be used to catch slip material that comes down the face from Zone 2. The material will be removed from the safe drop zone and taken to the deposit sites nearby.

In Zone 3, access tracks have been fully completed on both sides of the slope and slip material at the base is being removed to deposit sites. It is still too unstable to establish ramps up the side of the slip to help remove material higher up, so we will have to defer this until the slip is more stable.

Surveyors have reviewed the slip face and have mapped the original slope ground profiles. This information will enable the crew to estimate the exact location and quantities of where any remaining slip material will need to be removed from.

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NZTA investigates two alternative access options through the gorge

The NZTA continues to focus on stabilising Zone 2. Progress over the next week in this Zone will determine whether the opening the gorge will take longer than we currently expect. If so, we will investigate alternative access options, such as establishing a temporary road across the Opatu Stream. We will update you on this once we know.

The Waioeka Gorge webpage
To get the latest on the Waioeka Gorge project visit our new webpage: www.nzta.govt.nz/waioeka-gorge.

If you want us to email you our project updates, please contact us to: waioekagorge@nzta.govt.nz

If you have any ideas of how we can improve this webpage, please email us at waioekagorge@nzta.govt.nz.

Please send this update to anyone who is interested in the Waioeka Gorge closure.
Machinery used in this operation will be:

27t Excavator
35t Excavator
2 x 14t Excavators
21t Excavator
20t Excavator
2 x 12t Excavators
Loader 1.5m3
Loader 4m3
6 x 6 Wheeler Trucks
2 x Truck and Trailer Units
Helicopter
2 x 30t ADT Dumpers
- Additional equipped will be mobilised at different stages of the operation as required.

Find the latest transport news, information, and advice on our website:
www.nzta.govt.nz

ENDS

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