Residents of an Auckland beachside community fear they'll be trapped in their homes for most of the day during the week because of extensive roadworks to repair a major slip.
By Torika Tokalau for Local Democracy Reporting
Ten weeks of works are scheduled for Tanekaha Rd at Titīrangi from March 3, to repair subsidence under the road from the 2023 Auckland Anniversary weekend storm.
The road will be closed from Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and open only for half an hour at midday. Miha Rd, The Parade and Okewa Rd will also be affected.
“It’s quite a shock, they didn’t give us a lot of notice – they gave us like six weeks but it’s really not enough to organise your life,” said resident Tanya Clark.
She has lived on Okewa Rd for more than 54 years with her parents and she was worried for them in case of an emergency.
“It’s not just my parents – we’ve got another neighbour who is in her late 80s, and there’s quite a few old people down here. I know two people with broken legs. There are a few people who have undergone major surgery.
“And there are people who need to go to the hospital for checkups and treatments, depending on when your appointment is during the day.
“Movement is pretty restrictive, it’s a hell of a way to plan your life.”
Auckland Transport said the work was important and residents risked losing their road for good if it was not completed.
Clark said she understands the road repair has to be done, but questions what options AT had to choose from.
'The only way – or the easiest way?'
“Is this the only way or is this the cheapest and easiest way? I think that’s what people are concerned with.”
Judy Simpson, another resident, said the road closure will be an inconvenience.
“I have a broken ankle, have ACC home help coming in once a week and need to go to hospital appointments by taxi,” Simpson said.
“Ten weeks of road closure in my street is going to impact my recovery significantly.”
She said she’s spoken to AT and understood the repair must be done.
“It’s definitely a conundrum. We have been waiting for this slip to be fixed for three years, it’s a big deal and we just have to make it work somehow.
“As long we have assurance that in an emergency, we’re able to access emergency services. I am not angry, I understand that this work has to be done.”
AT flood recovery programme director Jeremy Pellow said the 10-week closure was necessary because they would use a large drill rig for 16 metre-deep piles, leaving no room for a lane to remain open.
They initially thought that a smaller retaining wall, using short piles, would work, however, latest detailed geotechnical investigations showed deeper piles were needed.
“AT needs to repair the road or future events could cause the failure of the remaining lane, and this community could be without any road,” Pellow said.
He said they were engaging with residents to address their concerns.
Outside the timed closures during the week, on weekends, the road would be open, with one lane access under traffic lights.
Repair preparation work will start on March 3, with power lines being relocated and enabling works for slip repair. Repair works will begin on March 11, with the first of three retaining walls, built.
The first retaining concrete wall will be built on the road edge, and involves installing 39 large concrete piles (each 16m long and 60cm wide), spaced 1.2m apart.
Pellow said this wall would help keep the road stable, and protect it from future slips.
“We are unable to open the road more frequently during the day, as each pile will take 3-4 hours to drill, and 3-4 hours to fill with concrete.
“Removing the machinery part way through either step could lead to having to restart that pile.”
Emergency vehicles and school bus only
In the event of emergency, Pellow said they were ready to open the road at short notice to allow emergency vehicles to pass through the site, and on school days.
“The school bus will be able to go through in the morning before the road is closed. After school, the bus will stop on Otitori Bay Rd, and students will be escorted through the closed section on foot.”
Limited pedestrian access will be maintained along the edge of the site, as required, when traffic management staff will pause works and safely escort pedestrians through the work zone.
“As soon as we have completed all work that requires a road closure, we will revert back to the temporary traffic lights and have one lane open most of the time.
“The community will be updated when changes occur.”
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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