KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 1

North Canterbury TransportInfrastructure Recovery

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This bulletin provides the latest information about the rebuild of road and rail networks damaged by the Kaikōura earthquake in November 2016. The bulletin is produced by the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) – an alliance representing the NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail, on behalf of Government.

SH1 NORTH SH1 SOUTH

RAIL INLAND ROAD

ALTERNATE ROUTE

Kaikōura TOWNSHIP

Issue no. 52 | 9 February 2018

The Bulletin Kaikōura earthquake update

THINKING INSIDE THE CONCRETE BLOCKOur design team has been using creative flair to find innovative solutions for rebuilding a more resilient State Highway 1 (SH1).

The team has developed and tested a bespoke connection to hold together two elements of the seawalls: mechanically stabilised earth walls and massive concrete blocks, which are being used to protect significant sections of SH1, including around Ohau Point and Ohau Stream.

The earth walls are made up of cement-stabilised gravel held in place by high strength synthetic strands woven together called geogrid. These earth walls form a secure base under the road, stabilising it from future earthquakes while combining together with the concrete blocks to form a wall protecting the road from the power of the sea.

To make sure these very different components work together they need a substantial connection to stabilise the structure in an earthquake. ‘The challenge was to provide a simple to construct and long lasting approach so that our tight timeframes could be met without losing any quality,’ says Structures Design Group technical leader Steve Procter. ‘We brought the brain power of our design team together and came up with a new solution.’

This new solution is a T-shaped slot in the top of the concrete block, inserted into this is a solid cylindrical rod - known as a dowel. The dowel is formed from a tough fibre reinforced plastic, which will not corrode in the salt water. The simple act of placing the next block on top of this clamps the whole assembly so the dowel will break before it can pull out.

Attached to the dowel are the equally tough geogrid straps. These simply wrap around the dowels and are then laid with the rest of the geogrid layers, which are embedded back into the earth walls. ‘Once we had turned the idea into reality we got to the do the fun part – getting out in the field to prove our idea would hold up in a simulation,’ says senior geotechnical engineer Charlie McDermott.

Two factors were tested. Could the forces expected from a large-scale earthquake pull the straps out of the earth fill? Was the dowel in the t-shaped slot and the geogrid strong enough to withstand that same force? The whole connection proved itself during the testing. ‘It’s an incredible experience and project to be part of this – to be able to develop an innovative solution from inception, to building it and testing it,’ says CPS design rep Hugh MacMurray.

KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 2

CHANGES TO THE BULLETIN

For more than a year NCTIR has been delivering The Bulletin weekly to keep affected communities and stakeholders up-to-date with how we’re progressing with the rebuild of the road and rail network following the earthquake.

We have focused on telling the story of rebuilding and repairing the Kaikōura Harbour, the Main North Line railway, State Highway 1 (SH1) and work to improve the Inland Road (Route 70) and alternate route (via Lewis Pass).

Now the harbour, SH1, and the railway are open, our work will be transitioning to a more planned programme of work. As a result, we will be changing how regularly we deliver The Bulletin.

We will be moving to a fortnightly delivery with our next edition of The Bulletin on Friday 23 February 2018. We want to thank our readers for their support and we hope you continue to find the fortnightly editions informative and helpful.

The best way stay up-to-date information about road conditions north and south of Kaikōura is to check the website: www.nzta. govt.nz.p2c. To plan New Zealand road trips and find travel time information, traffic cameras, and updates on delays, roadworks and road closures you can visit www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz – NZ Transport Agency’s journey planner page.

If there is any information or stories you would like to see in future fortnightly bulletins please let us know by emailing info@nctir.com.

FAMOUSLY CUTEA mother seal tends to her pup along the Kaikōura coastline. The best place to view seals is currently at Kaikōura Peninsula, just south of the township, with road reconstruction underway in other places. Seals can

be seen by walking a short way around the shoreline from Point Kean car park.

Seals can also be seen from parts of the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. Short walks can be taken along the walkway, which takes three hours to walk and has stunning views of the mountains and sea.

People should keep at least 20 metres away from seals for their own safety and to avoid disturbing them.  

KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 3

UPCOMING WORKSRaramai and Paritatahi Tunnels, south of KaikōuraThe tunnels team is gearing up for their next challenge of enlarging the existing road tunnels on SH1 south

of Kaikōura. This new work will commence next week, starting with the Raramai southbound tunnel, followed by the Parititahi northbound tunnel. When stage one is complete, the tunnel team will shift to the opposite tunnels at each location for stage two. Both pairs of short one way tunnels will be enlarged to improve the clearance and safety inside the tunnels for compliant vehicles. The work will also allow for a new fibre optic cable route through the tunnels.

There will be a new stop/go traffic system in place at Raramai Tunnel and the existing one lane will remain at Parititahi during stage one, and after completion, the stop/go traffic system will be shifted for stage two completion.

Expect delays in the HundaleesOver the next month work in a couple of areas in the Hundalees will result in some delays as we will be operating stop/go traffic controls. The team will be working near retaining walls removing sheet piling. Hours of work will be from 7am-7pm with two lanes returned at night. We appreciate everyone’s patience while this work is underway.

Please allow a minimum of 5.5 hours for travel between Christchurch to Picton via SH1. Remember to check www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c or phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)) for travel information.

Thank you for your ongoing patience. If you have any questions or wish to raise any safety issues with us, we would really like to hear from you as part of our commitment to keeping everyone safe in the community. Please contact us on 0800 NCTIREQ (0800 628 4737) or email info@nctir.com.

THIS TIME LAST YEARAt site 2 we have removed 20,000m3 of slip material, including 3000m3 of slip material from seven secondary landslides to build a 120m long temporary track around the landslide on the foreshore. Fourteen hundred concrete blocks have been used on the old road as a temporary rockfall fence. A permanent 150m long terramesh fence will be built.

KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE4 5

FACTS TO PONDER ON YOUR JOURNEY PART 2

Slip 30

Slip 24 Slip 16/17

Slip 6

Slip 3

Slip 32 Slip 29A Slip 26

Slip 18/19

Slip 14/15Slip 20

Slips between Peketa and Goose Bay, South of KaikouraThere were 32 major slips south of Kaikōura. Because some of these slips border each other they require a coordinated approach to make sure our teams working on each site are protected from falling rocks.

Slip 3In the five weeks before road opening, the abseiling teams installed 4000m2 of mesh and hundreds of metres of anchors so the road could open with two lanes.

Slip 630,000m3 of material was cut from slope last year.At the peak of construction, we had 10 trucks moving slip material – up to 1700m3 a day.

Slip 14A water cannon brought down 3000m3 of material off the hill in under six hours last year. A 95m long rockfall protection system with 2400m2 of draped mesh has been installed to slow falling rocks and direct them to runout areas. Almost 5000m2 of erosion protection matting has been installed on the upper slope to protect our crews.

Slip 152700m2 of mesh and almost 300 anchors should be installed by the end of the month (February 2018).

Slips 16-17At the Parititahi road tunnels above the shipping containers which line the road and the scaffold tunnel, a team of abseilers are drilling anchors into 2000m2 of mesh, which was placed on the slip face in less than a week before road opening last year.

Slips 18-19This site is above the containers on the roadside. Temporary protection for our crews is big here - mesh drapes (sized 36,750m2 and 1150m2) can be seen at top of slope along with four temporary rock fall barriers.

Slip 20A rotating team of 20+ abseilers with drill rigs have been working seven days a week on this large and complex slip face.With hundreds of carefully co-ordinated helicopter movements, the team have placed 6000 squares of mesh on the face and drilled over 600 anchors.

Slip 22Abseiling teams are drilling and installing 400 anchors and 3500m2 of mesh.

Slip 242000m2 of mesh and 331 anchors installed last year.This site also locally referred to as Punchbowl.

Slip 29A Bad weather over Easter 2017 resulted in a new slip. It was so large the team had to build a bypass for the road and rail – this was completed in 10 days.

Slip 30This is the biggest mesh site in the south with approximately 8300m2 of mesh and 600 anchors. Over 2km worth of anchors have been drilled into the rock face to date. You might be able to spot some of our abseilers and drill rigs on the slope as work continues.

Slip 32Above the famous Raramai road tunnels you can see three anchored rockfall fences have been installed: 60m, 50m and 40m long to protect the infrastructure below.

Slip 29

Slip 22

SH1 SOUTH FACTS TO PONDER ON YOUR JOURNEY PART 2

Slip 30

Slip 24 Slip 16/17

Slip 6

Slip 3

Slip 32 Slip 29A Slip 26

Slip 18/19

Slip 14/15Slip 20

Slips between Peketa and Goose Bay, South of KaikouraThere were 32 major slips south of Kaikōura. Because some of these slips border each other they require a coordinated approach to make sure our teams working on each site are protected from falling rocks.

Slip 3In the five weeks before road opening, the abseiling teams installed 4000m2 of mesh and hundreds of metres of anchors so the road could open with two lanes.

Slip 630,000m3 of material was cut from slope last year.At the peak of construction, we had 10 trucks moving slip material – up to 1700m3 a day.

Slip 14A water cannon brought down 3000m3 of material off the hill in under six hours last year. A 95m long rockfall protection system with 2400m2 of draped mesh has been installed to slow falling rocks and direct them to runout areas. Almost 5000m2 of erosion protection matting has been installed on the upper slope to protect our crews.

Slip 152700m2 of mesh and almost 300 anchors should be installed by the end of the month (February 2018).

Slips 16-17At the Parititahi road tunnels above the shipping containers which line the road and the scaffold tunnel, a team of abseilers are drilling anchors into 2000m2 of mesh, which was placed on the slip face in less than a week before road opening last year.

Slips 18-19This site is above the containers on the roadside. Temporary protection for our crews is big here - mesh drapes (sized 36,750m2 and 1150m2) can be seen at top of slope along with four temporary rock fall barriers.

Slip 20A rotating team of 20+ abseilers with drill rigs have been working seven days a week on this large and complex slip face.With hundreds of carefully co-ordinated helicopter movements, the team have placed 6000 squares of mesh on the face and drilled over 600 anchors.

Slip 22Abseiling teams are drilling and installing 400 anchors and 3500m2 of mesh.

Slip 242000m2 of mesh and 331 anchors installed last year.This site also locally referred to as Punchbowl.

Slip 29A Bad weather over Easter 2017 resulted in a new slip. It was so large the team had to build a bypass for the road and rail – this was completed in 10 days.

Slip 30This is the biggest mesh site in the south with approximately 8300m2 of mesh and 600 anchors. Over 2km worth of anchors have been drilled into the rock face to date. You might be able to spot some of our abseilers and drill rigs on the slope as work continues.

Slip 32Above the famous Raramai road tunnels you can see three anchored rockfall fences have been installed: 60m, 50m and 40m long to protect the infrastructure below.

Slip 29

Slip 22

SH1 SOUTH

KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 6

FAQQ: How can I find out if State Highway 1 (SH1) north or south of Kaikōura is open?

A: SH1 real-time status for between Picton and Christchurch is on the www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c website. This should be your first port of call when checking the road status.

We do not recommend relying on Google Maps as it sometimes displays SH1’s status incorrectly. You can also use the NZ Transport Agency journey planner site: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz.  

WEATHER DISRUPTIONSNew Zealand communities and transport networks felt the force of ex-cyclone Fehi with strong winds and heavy rain events last week.

State Highway 1 north and south of Kaikōura were closed on 1 February 2018 for three hours because of extreme winds. We re-opened the road in the afternoon, but closed it earlier than usual that evening at 7pm – because of the weather. We had to clean up from the wind, but overall were satisfied with how the road held up during the event.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding during the road closures.

KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 7

LATEST FROM THE DEBRIS BRIDGESNorth of Kaikōura, work is continuing at three debris flow bridge sites, which will help keep State Highway 1 and the Main North Line railway open in adverse weather. Each of the three sites has a road debris flow

bridge and a rail debris flow bridge parallel to it.

These bridges allow for a safer more protected road, directing falling debris under the bridges rather than on top of the road and rail lines.

‘The main purpose of these bridges is to prevent any holdups from weather events. Any material that comes down can go safely under the bridges,’ says foreman Cori Iaseto.

At Site A, which is located at the end of Half Moon Bay and Site B, located between Half Moon Bay and Ohau Point, the bridges have been built. At Site B, new work has begun underneath the debris flow bridges to create a spillway – this allows debris to flow underneath the bridge rather than just piling up.

At the third site – Site C near Ohau Point – a temporary Bailey Bridge was removed at the end of January and construction on these final debris flow bridges is underway with a completion date expected in early March. Brian Perry’s piling crew have sunk piles 16 to 18 metres deep, and now they have started work finishing the pile caps. The pile caps link the piles together and actually form a retaining wall. After the pile caps are completed, a slipway will be formed for the material to flow through.

The debris flow bridges have already been tested by weather events and the results have been positive. ‘Shortly before the road was due to open, we had quite a bit of rain and the debris flow bridges worked well. It was a great test and it showed how effective these bridges can be,’ says Cori. ‘The crews have already accomplished a tremendous amount of work in record time, and they are continuing to work hard.’

Debris Flow Bridge Site C Debris Flow Bridge Site B

Debris Flow Bridge Site A

KAIKŌURA EARTHQUAKE UPDATE 8

CONTACT USCall our Freephone: 0800 NCTIR EQ (0800 628 4737)

Email us: info@nctir.com

KEEP UP-TO-DATESubscribe to our weekly bulletin by emailing info@nctir.com, with ‘Bulletin’ in the subject line

South Island www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland/ KiwiRail www.facebook.com/kiwirailNewZealand/

DON’T PULL OVER UNTIL YOU’RE SAFEPeople travelling along State Highway 1 to the north and south of Kaikōura are being asked to observe all no stopping restrictions.

We’ve had reports of travellers pulling over and stopping in non-designated stopping areas, placing the safety of themselves, our road users and our road crews at risk.

It’s important to remember much of this corridor remains a construction site as work continues to rebuild the transport network.

Please also keep an eye out for workers on the side of the road as you are driving. Crews are working hard along the corridor and it is important that we do our part to drive safe and follow the speed limits in place.