Repairs to two major slips on Āwhitu Road in south Auckland are now complete and access to the surrounding communities has been restored.
The slips occurred on Āwhitu Road near Pollok as a result of last year’s severe storms – one slip north of West Coast Road and the other further south at 1966 Āwhitu Road, which severely impacted access to the community.
Auckland Transport (AT) commissioned geotechnical testing and a hydrology assessment of the slips prior to developing a detailed design. This included stormwater improvements to minimise the risk of a similar weather event causing damage to the road in the future.
Work on the slips started in June, with the first slip repair completed in six weeks, and the second more complex slip taking two months to repair. The latter was more than 60m deep and 15m across.
AT Project Manager Royhith Lal says the under slips near 1966 and 2049 Āwhitu Road involved installing 167 soil nails (a cost effective system that uses steel bars inserted in to the soil to reinforce and stabilise the slope) and building new retaining walls, installing guard rails, pavement and vegetation work.
AT worked with the contractor, Liveable Streets, to communicate with Āwhitu District School during the construction. They invited students and teachers, accompanied by local iwi, to bless the site before construction began. Students were later taken on a site tour to view the slip first hand and ask questions.
“The local school is the hub of the community and engaging with the staff, students and parents there was a great way to connect, form good relationships and to also bring the students on a career journey in an industry that needs young blood,” said Royhith.
On a day when no heavy machinery was working students visited the site to see what the contractor was doing, why and how, and an abseiling demonstration showcased the challenges of repairing very steep slip sites.
“They asked interesting questions like there was no tomorrow,” added Royhith.
“The exercise helped convey why complex major repairs like this take so long.
“The highlight for me has been the teamwork, the quality of work, and the reception from the public when they pass the construction site. We were also thrilled that the project was also a finalist in the recent Auckland Construction Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) Hynds Construction Awards,” he said.
More than 2000 slips were recorded across Auckland during the early 2023 storm events. 1200 slips were cleaned up quickly and by the end of October another 622 minor and major slips had been repaired.
Total Āwhitu Road repair cost: $3.5m.
Feedback on the school visits
“Āwhitu District School would like to give an absolute HUGE thank you to Steve, Shaun and the AT team. The visit to the repair site was incredible. Without exception, all the students and parents were in awe of what is being done there and of having this truly unique experience of being allowed to visit the site first hand.
I can't believe how lucky myself, Awhitu District School and the wider community are to have this partnership develop. You are all just amazing! Thank you so much!”
Megan Allen
Principal, Awhitu District School
“Having spent many more hours with Shaun in the ute today visiting other slips in the region and reflecting on this morning, I would like to thank you all for your contribution, effort and support in setting today up.
“Whilst it is nice for us as a team to show off and show the world the great things we are doing, it was amazing to see the interaction and the faces of the children. The level of interest, the questions asked, and their behaviour was awesome.”
Steve Cooper
South Rural Operations Manager, Liveable Streets
Āwhitu District School visiting the site
