Lyttelton Tunnel has been closed so safety checks can be
carried out after this morning's large aftershock centred
near Lyttelton.
But NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said today that generally
state highways in Canterbury were holding up well as the
region continued to experience aftershocks following
Saturday's 7.1 earthquake.
NZTA Canterbury state highways operations manager Peter
Connors said this morning's 5.1 aftershock may have caused
cracking to the tunnel and retaining walls leading into it.
"The safety of road users is our top priority so the decision
was made to close the tunnel so that a thorough inspection
can be made to assess the scope of any damage," he said.
"It is likely to be later this morning before an initial
assessment of any damage is available. In the meantime the
tunnel will remain closed."
The tunnel links the city of Christchurch to the port of
Lyttelton.
Mr Connors said a detour to Lyttelton was available via
Sumner and Evans Pass, or via Dyers Road.
He said staff, consultants and contractors were continually
monitoring the state highway network in the region to ensure
that it remained safe, with a particularly close watch being
kept on bridges.
"The aftershocks are a challenge for those assessing the
highway network as well as for those involved in repairing
the damage that has been sustained," Mr Connors said.
"Most of the quake repair work in the region involves
smoothing humps in road surfaces along with refilling cracks
and trenches left in the wake of Saturday's quake."
Mr Connors said that one of the more challenging jobs would
be repairing a 60 metre long drop out on State Highway 77
south of Glentunnel in Mid Canterbury.
"An assessment will have to be made on the best option for
restoring this section of highway, making it difficult to
predict when it may re-open," Mr Connors said.
A 2km signposted detour is available around the affected
site.
Mr Connors said the NZTA's safety assessments and repair work
would continue in the region as long they were required.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.