Nelson Tasman Flood Response

Project Info

Clients: Fulton Hogan/Marlborough Roads

Collaborators: Nelson City Council, OneFortyOne

Project Description

The Nelson Tasman region was struck by a weather event in the week beginning 16 August 2022 which saw the Richmond Hills and Tākaka area receive significant rainfall creating a large amount of damage to the roading and infrastructure network throughout the region.

On Friday 19 August the Civil crew were called in to assist in the Civil Defence Emergency works by Fulton Hogan (as contractor to Waka Kotahi). The event demanded more equipment than Fulton Hogan had available.

The Rivers team, who normally work in the Tasman area, were moved to Nelson City’s Maitai Valley where the Maitai River had eroded part of the road and exposed a number of services including the main North-South Fibreoptic Cable and the water main to Nelson City.

Key project challenges
Our truck drivers had to contend with traffic delays carting to site due to the Rocks Rd SH6 being closed for slips. Crews worked into the dark hours before poor conditions and changeable river levels forced a retreat. 
SH6 (Whangamoa) was closed on Friday 19 August due to multiple slips and washouts. Nelson was cut off at this time and a detour via Kaikoura was in place due to the abutment at Leatham Bridge at Branch River SH63 being washed away.

The crew worked their way into the Whangamoa clearing slips and assessing the undercuts for stability. The road was down to one lane in some locations and difficult for heavy haulage to navigate. Emergency works enabled some equipment (Articulated Dump trucks and our LX 160 Loader) to be driven directly from Brightwater to the Whangamoa on the road rather than waiting for transporters. Specialty forestry equipment and operators were needed (grapple attached to excavator) to clear trees from the roads and banks above the road.

The Civil team worked collaboratively with all departments within Taylors as well as outside stakeholders such as OneFortyOne.

Concurrent works were carried out on SH63 by another crew to reinstate the bridge abutment at the Leatham Bridge. Taylors Contracting had the benefit of being set up already in the area with two R45 Dump Trucks, a Bulldozer and Excavators on a project for Manawa Energy at the Branch River Infiltration Gallery.

The river was diverted away from the abutment while the rock abutment was completely rebuilt.

Key achievements
Three culverts were installed in record time – the full road closure helping to accelerate the process. Dual 1200mm culverts replaced a single 600mm culvert at one washout location and another single 900mm culvert replaced a 450mm culvert.

Teamwork enabled an incredible achievement to complete allocated tasks working with multiple agencies, contractors and worksites. 
Up to 10 truck and trailer units from multiple sub-contractors were coordinated at times. Taylors are incredibly proud of our people who displayed their skills, resilience and stamina during the emergency works response.