Taihape Road, a vital connection between the Hastings and Rangitikei districts, was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
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Since August last year, extensive recovery work has been underway to repair 11 major slips along the route, 10 of which are now successfully completed.
This corridor plays a crucial role as an alternative route when SH5 is closed, making its restoration a regional priority. In collaboration with Hastings District Council, TW Civil and Infrastructure, TOA Civil Construction, and Tucks, Lattey Group was engaged to design and construct seven retaining walls across the most affected sites.
Each slip repair involved the installation of steel piles augured to depths of 5–7 metres, secured with grouted anchors to stabilise the embankments and ensure long-term resilience. The project demanded precision and care, with all works carried out under stop-go traffic management in challenging terrain and high-risk environments.
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Other projects:
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Otanga Bridge - resilient design in a challenging landscape
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Following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, Lattey Group was engaged by Tararua Alliance to design and construct a replacement crossing at Otanga, where a culvert had been crushed by a landslide.
The site, located at the base of a steep valley, is subject to ongoing hillside movement posing significant engineering challenges. Lattey Group proposed a resilient bridge solution to restore access across the river.
The design incorporated heavy wall casings to withstand lateral loads from future landslides while allowing debris to pass around the piles, minimising obstruction, and long-term maintenance risks.
The bridge was constructed using recycled steel bridge beams and precast concrete decks manufactured at our Hastings Precast facility. This approach not only delivered a robust and cost-effective structure but also demonstrated our commitment to sustainable construction through smart reuse and local production.
Thanks to the precision of our prefabricated components and the efficiency of our civil team, the bridge was installed in under three weeks, a testament to the value of integrated design, manufacturing, and delivery.
Learn more about our civil capability here.