Emergency works are needed at Kerosene Ridge, Blairlogie-Langdale Rd, Masterton. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
A section of Blairlogie-Langdale Rd in Masterton, known as Kerosene Ridge, has been undermined by ongoing ground movement in the area and severe rainfall.
The road is the main route to Riversdale Beach.
About 90 metres of the road was retained in 2020 using a willow brush engineered wall – a relatively low-cost option.
But after heavy rainfall, about 43m of the wall has come away after being waterlogged to the extent that the slip face is adjacent to and under the road.
Weather events that contributed to the wall’s demise were 200mm of rain in July last year, 260mm for September to October, 150mm in January this year, and 320mm in February with two severe weather events.
A longer-term fix is set to cost Masterton District Council an estimated $850,000.
The planned solution is to engineer a retaining wall made up of steel beams and timber, at an estimated cost of $850,000 – this includes professional services and construction.
The installation of a retaining wall will stabilise the road edge and allow for the safe movement of traffic.
This work will be subject to a tender and the council has applied for government subsidies for the works. — NZLDR
