Two areas of "unstable rock" - one of which was a remnant of
a major rock fall 10 years ago - have been discovered at the
Nevis Bluff.
New Zealand Transport Agency Central Otago Area manager John
Jarvis said the two areas had been assessed as posing a
"potential hazard" to road users and the agency was moving to
stabilise the areas before the risk became greater.
The work would begin at the site, on State Highway 6 between
Queenstown and Cromwell, on February 8.
It was expected to be completed by March 19.
The rock fall in September 2000 closed the road for two
weeks.
The remnant of that fall would be removed by drilling and
blasting, while the second area of concern would be
stabilised using rock bolts to help ensure the long-term
stability.
The work was part of the agency's continuing monitoring of
the Nevis Bluff.
"Because of the difficulty and unpredictable nature of the
drilling and blasting work, and for safety reasons, road
closures can be expected from Monday to Friday throughout the
course of the work," Mr Jarvis said.
There would be road openings every hour, on the hour, between
8am and 5pm and motorists were advised to time their travel
with a road opening.
Between the hourly openings, traffic would be cleared every
20 minutes.
There would be closures of up to one hour during the course
of the work to allow for blasting operations, he said.
"At this stage, only a handful of blasts are expected over
the six-week stabilisation programme."
