On 26 July, a significant rockfall occurred approximately 2km from the Aviemore Dam, blocking Te Akatarawa Road and prompting an urgent response from our roading team.
The road remained closed for ten days while Rooney Earthmoving removed around 3,000 tonnes of rock. To assess the stability of the slope and guide next steps, an Engineering Geologist applied the NZTA Rockfall Hazard Rating procedure.
As an immediate safety measure, a temporary concrete protection wall was installed down the centre of the road. This allowed one lane to reopen while the slip face had time to stabilise.
To reduce the risk of further rockfalls, loose material was sluiced from the slope using a helicopter and monsoon bucket. Once the area was deemed stable, the safety wall was repositioned to the edge of the seal. This provided enhanced protection and enabled both lanes to reopen. Full two-lane access was restored on 1 September.
The total cost of the works was $43,593, funded through the Minor Event Allocation, which is partly funded by NZTA.
