Introduction
State Highway 73 is a Regional State Highway in the National State Highway Strategy, and provides often the primary inter-regional link between Canterbury and the West Coast. SH73 provides community linkage from the towns and villages located within the section of highway covered by this study (Springfield, Castle Hill, Cass, Arthur’s Pass and Otira) to Christchurch City, Hokitika and Greymouth. SH73 provides access from Canterbury to many recreational activities used by both domestic and international visitors, including skifields during the winter season. The route is recognised as being vital to the economic wellbeing of the West Coast, with increasing numbers of heavy vehicle movements and significant numbers of tourists travelling in campervans, buses or rental cars.
Route security is crucial, as severance, depending on location, can result in significant detours. The alternative route from Christchurch to Greymouth via SH7 is considerably longer than SH73, taking around an additional one and a half hours.
The most significant threat to the route is slope instability, more specifically rock fall, landslides, debris flows, rock avalanches and frittering (weathering). Additional threats to the route include flooding and river erosion of embankments.
This strategic study has identified, investigated and prioritised areas of SH73 subject to route security issues, including threats from rock falls, slope instability, river erosion and flooding. The speed and severity of these hazards require particular expertise to assess the likely damage both to roads and the safety of users, and to consider the optimum period for timely intervention with capital improvements, or if ongoing maintenance is the most viable solution.
Purpose of this website
This website is designed to inform you of the Agency’s proposed management of the section of SH73 between Springfield and Aickens for the foreseeable future. The Agency is keen to receive your comments on its proposed Strategy before it is formally adopted. Your comments are important and necessary to ensure the Agency has addressed areas that cause greatest concern to the highway’s stakeholders and is your opportunity to raise any further issues.
Submissions
Submissions closed on Friday 4th December 2009.
