Slip repair work begins on Waikare Road

Residents and road users are being advised of construction works on Waikare Road which began earlier this week (Tuesday 28 April) to repair and restore safe access to road users.

Waikare Road is a narrow gravel road that links Kawakawa, Karetu and Waikare to Russell and Rawhiti. This route can be used as an alternative road to get to Helena Bay which remains impacted by other road works on Russell Road and Kaiikanui Road following cyclone Vaianu. However, motorists can still use the vehicle ferry link between Ōpua and Ōkiato, which is the recommended route.

The project will involve a combination of earthworks, piling, drainage upgrades and full road reconstruction, with traffic management measures in place.

Initial works will focus on site establishment, including the installation of temporary traffic controls such as stop/go systems and reduced speed limits.

Environmental protections will be put in place to manage sediment and runoff, vegetation clearance and earthworks to stabilise the roadside bank. Concrete works and site preparation will support the main construction phase.

During construction, travellers should expect delays due to traffic management, with longer wait times anticipated due to the narrowness of the road corridor.

A key component of the project involves piling works, where 14 steel piles will be installed in stages to reinforce the road structure. This will require the construction of a piling platform, excavation behind the piles, and installation of timber lagging.

The final stage will see the road rebuilt, and a new guardrail will also be installed for safety.

These works on Waikare Road were picked up as emergency work following Cyclone Garielle.