Final phase of SH2 Otoko Hill road recovery work starts next week

The final phase of extensive works on SH2 north at Otoko Hill begins next week. This map supplied by the NZTA/Waka Kotahi illustrates what will be done. Image supplied.

The final phase of recovery work on State Highway 2 at Otoko Hill, north of Gisborne, is about to start.

From August 4, two sites on SH2 between Hihiroroa Rd and the Otoko Walkway east entrance (Mahaki Entrance) will be under stop/go traffic management, with delays of up to five minutes expected.

The Transport Rebuild East Coast (Trec) alliance is doing the work on behalf of NZ Transport Agency.

Stop/go traffic management will be in place Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm.

“During the construction period, crews will be concentrating on two sites – site K and site M,” NZTA said in a release.

“Site K will take approximately eight weeks to complete, with crews focusing on repairs to an overslip.”

Forty-eight drains will be either installed or upgraded as part of this work to help reduce pressure on the hill and subsequent movement in the road.

“Site M will take approximately 12 weeks to complete repairs to an underslip. These repairs include the installation of extensive drainage and construction of a buttress (supporting structure), similar to other recovery works undertaken in the area.”

Trec project manager Richard Bayley said this was a significant milestone for communities, contractors and the Trec team who had been a part of the recovery works on Otoko Hill.

“It’s been just over a year of intensive but essential works, and we’re pleased to be entering this final phase and leaving a more reliable and safer corridor for road users.”

Since Cyclone Gabrielle, the focus has been on repairing and resurfacing the road, with a number of underslips fixed before the focus turned to stabilising the hill surrounding the road and improving drainage to minimise the potential for slips to move again in the future.

“This is such a crucial piece of road for everyone who uses it, but in particular, the freight industry travelling between Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.

“One of the primary focuses during the Otoko Hill work has been installing extensive drainage systems.

“As with so many roading projects, water is our biggest issue. We have to do as much as possible to draw it out of the hillsides before the damage is done,” Bayley said.

Since work began last winter, nine recovery sites along Otoko Hill have been completed. The final 2, sites K and M, will bring the total to 11.

“We expect to be completed by Christmas and we really appreciate everyone’s understanding as we move through this phase.”