Long-term programme of improvements planned for Karamea Highway
Buller District Council has made a successful bid to NZTA – Waka Kotahi’s Low Cost/Low Risk Targeted Fund and has been awarded $3.4 million to continue safety and drainage improvements on the Karamea Highway.
The weather events of February 2022 highlighted the susceptibility of this key transport link during extreme weather conditions, given there is no alternative route.
A report evaluating the current capacity of drainage assets, such as culverts, along the Karamea Highway was commissioned in 2023. This had a particular focus on the area between the Mōkihinui River and Little Wanganui River bridges.
The report considered factors such as historical performance, recent heavy rainfall events and the area’s challenging topography. Key findings and concerns included undersized culverts, culvert structural condition and location, and related risks to the road surface.
A detailed hydrological assessment is being conducted with input from local contractors to determine the final sites that will receive drainage upgrades.
Council expects to install approximately 30 new or upgraded culverts, along with headwalls and concrete dish channels.
In 2022, council roading staff conducted a survey of the road in conjunction with heavy transport operators. A vehicle-mounted camera on a milk tanker travelling the Karamea Highway was used to record when the truck’s wheels crossed either the centre line or road edge line along the route, and from this data, initial sites for improvement were identified.
The 2022 survey identified 16 sites for improvement, of which six were completed in 2024-25. The new programme will focus on continuing this work over the next two years.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “We’d like to let residents know that they will notice an increase in site works on the Karamea Highway in the coming months.”
“While we appreciate the associated travel delays can be frustrating for road users, the overall benefit reaps far greater reward in terms of a safer and more resilient transport link for the Karamea community.”
Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to road users. The community will be kept informed in advance of significant delays, and in the unlikely event that it is necessary to close the road completely.
The Karamea Highway’s Special Purpose Road (SPR) status was reconfirmed in October 2023 and will continue for another three years, covering the 2024/2027 National Land Transport Plan period.
This entitles the Karamea Highway to 100% funding assistance from Waka Kotahi – NZTA for all maintenance, upkeep and improvements, at no cost to Buller District ratepayers.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz
Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.