Lake Sumner Road opens again

After significant storm damage last month, a section of Lake Sumner Road has been rebuilt further away from the river and is open again for recreation.

As a consequence of the ex-Cyclone Dovi rain event in mid-February, approximately 20m of the road was undermined by a section of the south branch of the Hurunui River which had a very high flow at the time.

Due to the topography and ecological interests of the site, approximately 500 metres of road has been realigned and shifted approximately 25 metres further away from the river, up the hill.

Last Friday afternoon marked the completion of this work, and the road was open again to all traffic.

Works during the past six weeks included bulldozing a track into the hillside, carting stones from the river to form a new road base, crushing, shaping, and spreading crushed material, installing new culverts two to three metres below the new road surface, concrete capping these culverts, and carrying out concrete ford repairs.

Hurunui District Council Roading Manager Kushla Tapper said with the new alignment being further up the hill and away from the river, in addition to the river alignment correction, this road should be much better protected from river erosion in the future.

“These works have been a significant team effort,” she said.

Partnering agencies Waka Kotahi, Environment Canterbury, Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand and the pastoral lease holders all came together quickly, to agree on the most sensible plan of action to re-establish access for the isolated people and properties.

“The location of the new road alignment was agreed to quickly, ensuring avoidance of known lizard habitat and protection of matagouri growth.”

Tapper acknowledged this road has been a source of frustration for the recreational users of Lake Sumner, Lake Taylor and Loch Katrine, especially because major road and reconstruction work was carried out during early summer after last winter’s major rain events, to ensure the public had access for the festive season.

“We collectively want to express our thank you to everyone for your cooperation and patience during the past few months, while this work has caused sporadic access to some of North Canterbury’s best places.”