Work is set to begin this week to provide longer term protection from slips on State Highway 7 near Lewis Pass.

Crews will install a high tensile steel mesh anchored to the headscarp at the slip site near Riordons Creek, between Hanmer Springs and Springs Junction. A slip in June reduced the highway to one lane with traffic lights and a 30 kilometre an hour speed limit, as well as a series of overnight closures while clearance work was carried out.

NZTA system manager Mark Pinner said the new measures were designed to protect motorists and reduce further disruption to travel through the area.

“The mesh will be pinned over the crest of the slope to help prevent it from failing or regressing,” he said. “We are also including an erosion matting behind the mesh to help hold the weak soil layer at the top of the slope in place and enable vegetation cover to re-establish.”

Work is due to begin tomorrow, Wednesday 27 August, with crews mobilising on site and carrying out anchor testing through until Friday 29 August. The site will be reduced to one lane with temporary traffic signals from 7am to 7pm, while two lanes will remain open overnight.

Following analysis of the test results and final design work, crews will return on Tuesday 9 September to begin installation and supporting works. The project is scheduled to be complete by Monday 6 October, with further traffic management in place during this time.

Motorists are advised to check the NZTA Journey Planner website for the latest updates.