Our team was given the challenge of designing and implementing a permanent solution to stabilise the hillside, restore the highway’s full width and minimise disruption to road users. Preparation took three weeks, which included the creation of a landing area for the heli-assisted delivery of materials, the construction of temporary tracks through the rainforest and the construction of a bridge across Hoteo Stream to ensure reliable access during more rainfall.

Working in partnership with Andy O’Sullivan & Associates and Wharehine Contractors, GSI prioritised minimal lane closures and worked closely with the Department of Conservation and local iwi to ensure compliance while accessing the site through the Sunnybrook Scenic Reserve.

We carried out rope access scaling to secure the slip face and removed 200 cubic metres of rock by hand during day and night shifts. The team drilled and installed 118 Rock Anchors using a lightweight drill suspended from above, then covered the entire 790 square metre site with protective mesh and erosion control matting.