Completion date for Kenepuru recovery works comes closer

Good news has been delivered to the Kenepuru Sound community with the completion date for repairs to the flood-damaged road now December 2027, just under three years ahead of the original schedule.

Representatives from Marlborough Roads gathered with Mayor Nadine Taylor, councillors and Council Chief Executive John Boswell to deliver the update at a drop-in meeting at Portage Hotel.

Mayor Taylor said it was pleasing to let the community know the revised repair timeframe which reflected the commitment of Council and Marlborough Roads to complete the work as soon as was practically possible.

“Of course, we know there are always variables to significant roading projects like this – particularly when weather is at play – so these are target dates and will be refined further when detailed designs are completed and the scope of works is confirmed,” she said.

Kenepuru Road opened to the public last December, restoring access for stock trucks.

While en route to the community meeting, the mayor and councillors visited the Water Tank Slip, one of several complex sites along Kenepuru Road.

A 98m retaining wall, drainage improvements and road reinstatement is nearing completion at this site with pavement preparation currently being worked on and sealing planned before the end of the month, weather permitting.

“Construction here has enabled the road to reopen for farmers, businesses, contractors and visitors as well as residents ahead of the Christmas holidays. On our way into the residents’ meeting, we passed a laden stock truck and trailer heading out and that was very satisfying to see. We know how important this repair has been for our Sounds farming community to allow stock movements by road to resume for the first time in three years,” Mayor Taylor said.

The total number of faults for construction for the Kenepuru Zone in Phase 3 is now 802, with 20 per cent completed following the storms in July 2021 and August 2022.