Four large-scale roading improvement projects have been scheduled for this construction season in the Waitomo district.

The roads – Fullerton, Mairoa, Mangaotaki, Te Anga and Mangarino – have all suffered extensive damage and slips as a result of severe weather events and will be reconstructed this year.

Fullerton and Mairoa Roads Slip Repairs

General Manager Infrastructure Services, Shyamal Ram says a storm event in 2022 and subsequent years caused several large slips across the district with Fullerton and Mairoa Road slip sites among the worst.

“Fullerton Road resulted in only a single trafficable lane remaining and due to the size of these slips, an engineered design was required to ensure a long-term solution. These projects have been awarded to Nicholls and Uttinger Civil.”

Fullerton Road will receive a steel cantilevered retaining wall with 9m length piles, while Mairoa Road will have a timber post cantilevered retaining wall with 6.5m length piles.

Construction works are due to commence at Fullerton Road in late February, with Mairoa Road construction following in March.

Works will be completed under stop/go traffic management which will cause minor delays. Any expected delays will be communicated nearer the time.

Te Anga Road Rehabilitation

The Te Anga Road pavement rehabilitation project has been awarded to Graham Contractors and work is planned to start late February.

“Works include reconstruction of the pavement near the natural bridge site as well as minor slip repair works,” says Shyamal.

Construction works will be completed under stop/go traffic management which will cause minor delays. Any expected delays will be communicated nearer the time.

Mangaotaki Road Slip Repair 

The Mangaotaki Road project is currently being tendered, with physical works to be completed this construction season.

Mangarino Road Slip Repair

Funding for the slip repair adjacent to the cemetery on Mangarino Road has been approved by NZTA. The design for the permanent solution is on track for the physical works to be completed this construction season.

“We thank the community for their patience over the past year with the temporary measures that have been in place at these sites,” says Shyamal.