Awatere Valley Road is planned to reopen for the Marlborough Anniversary long weekend on Friday 30 October following months of recovery work to stabilise a large slip 10.5km west of Jordan Bridge.
Heavy rain in July caused extensive damage at Cam Corner, with multiple over slips and an under slip developing on the already undermined section of road.
Marlborough Roads Transport Recovery Manager Steve Murrin said crews had worked through challenging conditions to restore access as quickly and safely as possible.
“The excavation was nearing completion when further heavy rain in September caused additional instability and a large crack to develop. This has required significant extra excavation to stabilise it,” Mr Murrin said.
“We had hoped to have the road open for Labour Weekend, however the complexity of the site, the height to which we need to remove the material from, and weather conditions over the last month have delayed us.
“Once excavation is complete, crews will have removed more than 22,000 cubic metres of slip material from site, enough to fill nine Olympic size swimming pools,” he said.
The road opening on Friday 30 October will be dependent on weather conditions and final safety inspections.
Mr Murrin said reopening the road marked an important milestone but work at the site would continue.
“We will still have further excavation, drainage improvements and road reinstatement to complete. Construction closures will remain necessary for this work to be carried out as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Mr Murrin.
From Tuesday 3 November, construction closures will be in place Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm with a midday opening from 12pm to 12.30pm.
The site will continue to be monitored and if it is deemed unsafe the road will be closed until it is safe to reopen it.
