Permanent fix for Oropi Road sinkhole
Tuesday 14 January 2020
In 2019 a sinkhole appeared on Oropi Road near the Oropi Stream Bridge.
This was the result of erosion from the stream. From Monday 20 January
Tauranga City Council will commence works on the permanent fix. It is
being undertaken now to take advantage of shorter nights, drier weather
and low stream levels. The repairs are expected to take one week and
will involve full and partial road closures.
During the day traffic will be able to cross the bridge although there
may be short periods of restrictions such as a lane closure or stop/go
traffic control. At night, from 8pm to 6am, Oropi Road will be closed to
traffic and pedestrians between Cheyne Road and the Oropi Stream
Bridge. A detour will be in place via Oropi Gorge Road; this will be
clearly sign-posted.
Residents may hear construction noise, feel some level of vibration
during the night and observe light spill from the floodlights that will
be temporarily brought to the site to enable the works to be completed
at a time when it will cause the least disruption to motorists.
The works involve the installation of 8m deep steel sheet piles at the
Oropi end of the bridge. This will prevent the stream from undermining
the road by washing out embankment fill. Subsequently, the road surface
will be permanently reinstated following the piling.
