Roadmap to recovery for Buller’s roads

Project background

In December 2022 Council received $13.2M funding approval from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for the reinstatement of the roads in the Buller District that were damaged by the two significant rain events. An initial $1.5M of this funding was received after the February event to carry out emergency repairs. 

These two storm events where significant, in total approximately 150 damaged sites have been recorded through Buller’s local road network. Of these, 68 damaged sites involved minor clearance of debris and trees which were addressed immediately.

The remaining sites required much more comprehensive repairs, ranging from minor road repair and reconstructions through to more significant stabilisation and remedial work. These sites have been grouped into 12 Bundles. These Bundles considered the location of the damaged sites and scope of work required in order to maximise efficiency. 

It is expected that the majority of the site works will be undertaken between July 2023 and March 2024 with some rock protection and road repairs continuing through to mid-2024 on the Karamea / Bluff Highway.

Karamea Highway progress

Work on the Karamea Highway is covered within Bundles 3, 4, 8, 10 & 11. Works on the highway commenced in August 2023, and some sites have already been completed.

Projects to be completed in 2024 include Roading Return to Service (flood recovery) Bundles 4, 8, 10 & 11.

Other general roading projects are also planned as follows:

1. Corner improvements
2. Pavement rehabilitation
3. Planned maintenance

The first projects to commence are those in RTS Bundle 4, which covers sites in the stretch of highway between 2.8km and 4.1km north of the Mokihinui Bridge.

Our contractor, Paul Smith Earthmoving has advised, subject to weather conditions, the first project will commence on 19 February and should take approximately two weeks to complete.

Contractors will then continue with the remaining three smaller projects in Bundle 4.

We are currently discussing the schedule for some additional works at our RTS Bundle 11 site, 4km north of Corbyvale – works might potentially commence here before the end of February as well.

Traffic management will be place, so please be prepared for delays of up to 15 minutes.

A variable message board (VMS) board will be positioned just north of the Mokihinui Bridge, and updates will also be made to Facebook pages and our website.

Look out for our next update at the end of February, when we should have some schedules confirmed for some, if not all of the remaining projects.

Thank you for your patience as we work on improving the journey.

What is happening in February?

• Receive and approve detailed design for retaining wall and issue to contractor for pricing (Bundle 9)
• Deploy variable message system (VMS) board for the Karamea Highway
• Commence construction in Bundle 4 (Karamea Highway)
• Complete construction activities in Seddonville area (Bundle 7)
• Complete tender evaluation and undertake negotiations with contractors for Bundles 8 & 10.