Nelson Tasman Flood Response

Client: Fulton Hogan, Marlborough Roads

Collaborators: Nelson City Council, OneFortyOne

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 subcontractors were coordinated at times. Taylors are incredibly proud of our people who displayed their skills, resilience and stamina during the emergency works response.

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.