Road closure near Homer Tunnel

Photo / Thinkstock

A section of the Milford Rd will be closed from tomorrow for up to two weeks to allow the New Zealand Transport Agency to carry out emergency safety work to remove 2000 tonnes of rock at risk of falling. NZTA Southland area manager Peter Robinson said the work was focused on an area known as Moir's Mate Diamond Face, above the western entrance to the Homer Tunnel.

Part of that feature broke off in November and caused disruption to traffic, and an on-site inspection last week by geotechnical experts showed the remaining section of rock, which was about 20m high, had "largely detached from the rock face" and was likely to fall when it came under pressure from the winter freeze/thaw.

The work, to be carried out by Geovert, which had much high-altitude blasting experience, including recent work at the Nevis Bluff on State Highway 6, halfway between Queenstown and Cromwell, would be on site from tomorrow to begin the work, which would include "carefully targeted precision blasting".

It would mean the Milford Rd, from the eastern entrance of the Homer Tunnel, would be closed to traffic.

The agency had a "limited window of opportunity" before winter conditions set in to remove the rock feature, Mr Robinson said.

"If we can't complete the work before winter there is a risk it could have an impact on enabling us to keep the road open throughout winter."