Turnbulls Bay slip repair complete

Dunedin (Monday, 7 March 2016) – A major roading project completed at Turnbulls Bay means the area is now better protected from slips.

Residents and visitors to the Otago Peninsula have watched over recent months as the key feature of the work, a large reinforced wall, took shape.

Dunedin City Council Transport Projects Team Leader Gareth Evans says, “Poor ground conditions and the need to keep the road open during the work meant this was a challenging project.”

The extensive repair work was needed after a storm in June 2013 caused slips affecting 200m of Portobello Road above Turnbulls Bay. After the investigation and design stages, work began on site in January 2015 and was completed in February this year.

A key challenge was making sure the wall foundations were strong enough in what were poor ground conditions.

“During excavation, a large amount of previously unknown organic material was uncovered. This increased the amount of earthworks needed by about 70%, increased strengthening required and extended the length of the project.”

Mr Evans says the improvements that have been made will protect this section of road against future slips.

Keeping the road open to the public while work progressed was also a big challenge.

“We were very grateful to Fletcher House for allowing us to use part of their car park so there was access along that stretch of road.”

Otago Peninsula Community Board Chair Christine Garey says, “This project has been extremely challenging for all concerned, but the Council has delivered a section of walkway/cycleway as well as a slip repair. Local residents are looking forward to a chance to say thank you to those who worked in all weathers to complete this project for our community."

As well as reinstating the road, the design allowed for a 3m shared path for cyclists and pedestrians to be built as part of the slip repair. This path will connect with future Peninsula road widening work.

The final cost of the project is expected to be about $2.8 million.

An event, organised by the DCC and the Otago Peninsula Community Board, will be held at the site at 10.30am on Saturday, 12 March to celebrate the completion of the project.

ENDS

© Scoop Media