SR10 CANOPY

NCTIR

Year

2020 - 2021

Rock Control were chosen to undertake the final and most technical project of the Kaikoura rebuild. A 100m high cliff which rises above State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura posed a significant rockfall hazard for the road users below. The solution was a combination of anchored active mesh, drape mesh system, shotcrete and the largest canopy barrier of its type in the Southern Hemisphere to manage the rockfall hazard. Rock Control provided the full suite of services for the project in house. The canopy itself contains 14 posts with lengths ranging up to 15m. The mesh was then hung from a top rope located 25m above the post base to create a 30 degree self-cleaning barrier for rocks to fall on. A mixture of rope access and tracked drill rigs were utilised for the drilling while helicopter lifting operations, elevated work platforms, large Hiab trucks and rope access were used for the construction phase. 

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Due to the location of the project above SH1, it was necessary to minimise the impact on traffic travelling this arterial route as much as possible. Completely closing the road for the duration of works was not possible, so the project was completed under a combination of single lane closures, 30 minute stops and night closures. In order to maximise production and minimise disruption, crews were split between a day shift and a night shift for majority of the project. Temporary protection measures were installed up slope to ensure a safe working environment and allow free access across the slope. Our record of being able to safely deliver technically challenging projects in physically demanding environments meant we were well equipped and prepared for the project. With numerous challenges to overcome the crew and management worked hard to identify issues early and develop effective solutions. 

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*Some images supplied by NCTIR