The school bus carefully navigates the Elephant Point slip on Moetapu Bay Road. Photo: Supplied by Marlborough District Council
Urgent road repairs are needed in the Marlborough Sounds to ensure safety, while the council waits for a study to determine the future of the region's damaged road network.
Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor said there was no money available for critical repairs within the Marlborough Sounds until the Sounds Future Access Study was complete.
Repairs were needed at 25 sites that posed safety risks, possible damage to property and could cost the council more in the long run if not progressed soon, she said.
Marlborough Roads recovery manager Steve Murrin said the sites were prioritised based on safety to road users, possible damage to property, the risk of losing the existing road, cost increases due to further damage and to remove ongoing temporary traffic management requirements.
He said the repairs were critical - with further issues expected if work was not done now.
"The two most critical sites regarding road user safety are on Moetapu Bay Road. There are also two under slips on Port Underwood Road that are likely to cause safety issues."
Current recovery works underway on Queen Charlotte Drive. Photo: Supplied by Marlborough District Council
The council will establish a holding account to fund critical storm repairs - with a decision from Waka Kotahi expected in a month's time.
Design work will get underway on some of the sites while council waits for the decision, so as not to unduly delay the repair process.
Waka Kotahi already agreed to fund 95 percent of $52.39 million, to complete road repairs in the Awatere Valley, Northbank and Waihopai Valley, as well as a one-year extension of barge and water taxi subsidies in the Marlborough Sounds.
Some of the priority sites include:
- Akerbloms Road: $200,000 - drainage improvements
- Anakiwa Road: $250,000 - reinstate the road and lift traffic management restrictions
- Daltons Bridge: $600,000 - river repairs (probable rock revetment)
- Moetapu Bay Road - Driftwood Corner: $400,000 - reinstate full width of road
- Moetapu Bay Road - Elephant Point: $100,000 - reinstate full width of road
- Port Underwood - Whatamonga dropouts: $980,000 - reinstate full width of road
[LI Kenepuru Road - Torea Slip: $720,000 - build retaining wall, reinstate road and lift restrictions