SH8 slip again affected by New Year rain
CROMWELL
CENTRAL Otago’s New Year deluge again caused the earth to move over State Highway 8 near Cromwell.
Close to $800,000 had been spent repairing the 9000cu m slip at Deadman’s Point, above the bridge at Cromwell, after it was observed on July 14.
The work included all the initial work on the slip itself, the design and installation of a rock catch fence and repairs to the road surface below the slip.
NZ Transport Agency maintenance contract manager Mark Stewart said the extremely high level of rainfall — onethird of Central Otago’s annual rainfall in about three days — had forced workers to revisit the slip.
‘‘This was a significant event for the region which had an impact at the Deadman’s Point Bridge site.’’
The benches at the Deadman’s Point slip were stable and the upper sections had performed exactly as intended.
However, the lower benches were partly constructed of fill materials cast down the slope as the works were undertaken, Mr Stewart said.
‘‘These benches were always likely to shed some material and that is why there was a barrier installed at the base and there is some space at the toe of the slip.’’
The work under way now included removing the slip material and reforming the lower bench, after which the barrier would be stood back up.
The overall performance of the slope would continue to be monitored, Mr Stewart said.
‘‘As with other sites in Central Otago, we will see materials slip during heavy rainfall . . . but overall the slip held up very well through the event and is stable.’’