Project achievements and benefits
This massive disaster reconstruction effort was more than just a rail and road opening. Families and friends were reconnected, businesses welcomed tourists back, freight could move easily to and across the South Island.
The region relies on tourism but after the earthquake, rail passengers stopped coming and initially there were no visitors by road. The economic and social recovery of the region depended on the transport networks reopening as soon as possible.
The community was delighted to have the road open in time for the busy holiday season. Tourism spending in Kaikōura in December 2017 was estimated to be NZ$9 million more than in December 2016.
By 31 December 2017, the Main North Line had carried more than 89,000 tonnes of freight, meaning around 6,300 fewer truck journeys on fragile South Island roads, never built for the volumes they carried when SH1 was closed.
Project elements
During the Kaikōura earthquake, New Zealand’s South Island itself moved. Where the faults met the ground surface it was displaced, horizontally and vertically, by up to 12 metres.
Across the network of the Inland Road, Alternate Route, Main North Line railway and SH1 – 194km of damaged road, 220 work sites and 190km of rail line needed to be repaired. The situation was exceptionally complex with multiple routes, numerous sites and many types of damage.
It was a balancing act. Access versus getting work done, design alongside construction, and innovation versus speed – with the environment, safety and construction going hand in hand. Alongside 5,000 locals living in the coastal corridor, we built a team of 1,700 workers including teams from the Transport Agency, KiwiRail and over a hundred other organisations.
The destruction occurred on a coast renowned for its natural scenery, ecosystems and tourism experiences. The recovery team had to preserve what was precious while rebuilding quickly and with care.