Meanwhile, in Tararua Country....

Gorge ‘steps’ toward reopening

Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Saturday, 10 December 2011

LANDSLIDE: The damage done by the recent slip in Manawatu
Gorge is clear to see. — MURRAY WILSON/Fairfax NZ.

THE first "step" toward reopening the Manawatu Gorge has been completed.

Contractors have dug the first of a series of terraces in the hillside where slips have kept State Highway 3 closed since August.

The terraces, or steps, were being dug out from the top of the hillside down and would secure the site from further slips, said NZ Transport Agency state highways manager David McGonigal.

Examples of this type of benching can be seen on the other side of the river near Ballance Gorge Road.

"It's been a challenging operation getting to this point, so it's really rewarding to see the first bench completed and our plans taking shape," Mr McGonigal said.

The process of creating the steps involved bulldozers moving material across the hillside to diggers which lifted it into a chute. Material sent down the chute would be removed from the bottom once the slip-face had been stabilised.

Mr McGonigal said it was a seven days a week operation, weather permitting, although rain had caused some delays over the past few days.

"We're also continuing to look for ways to speed up the clearing process, such as dual excavation operations at the top and bottom of the slip and moving our work schedule to 24/7 as soon as it is safe to do so."

Meanwhile, Mr McGonigal said truckies deserved a big pat on the back for their safe and considerate driving on the alternative routes.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback from the public about how the vast majority of truckies have been driving with great care and consideration, in particular pulling aside to let vehicles pass them. This makes a real difference for everyone because it reduces hold-ups and makes journeys safer by reducing the need for risky passing manoeuvres.

"We know travelling on the alternative routes is no picnic for truckies, and we're really appreciative of how considerate they've been under trying circumstances," Mr McGonigal said.

The Manawatu Gorge was not likely to be reopened before the end of January and the cost of clearing the slip could reach $10 million.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6120156/Gorge-steps-toward-reopening