Progress made in repairing storm-damaged SH94

The Falls Creek retaining wall on the Milford Road (SH94). PHOTO: SUPPLIED/NZTA
The Falls Creek retaining wall on the Milford Road (SH94). PHOTO: SUPPLIED/NZTA
Progress has been made in repairing the storm-damaged State Highway 94, as work at Falls Creek nears completion.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Milford Road alliance manager Kevin Thompson said "good progress" had been made on the retaining wall at the site recently.

"There is road-widening works to marry into the wall to do — this will form the road shoulder. At most this will take several weeks to complete. The river here took away the supporting bank for the road during the new year flood. This retaining wall restores that road support and allows for guardrail and other services beside the road to be installed, he said."

Work to complete highway support walls and pavement/surfacing was still to be done.

Challenges included Fiordland weather, high river levels which affected access and construction, snow, compressed timeframes for design and earthquakes, which made wet and unstable banks even more unstable.

"Thanks to all drivers along this route for taking care around our crews, who are working in all weathers, fog and reduced light."

A number of sites along SH94 were either finished or close to it, including several large additional walls near the Falls Creek site.

These were expected to be completed mid-summer.

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