Key Takeaways
- Stafford Drive in Tasman, New Zealand has reopened to two-lane traffic after being closed for over three years due to a slip.
- The road was initially closed in August 2022 and reopened to single-lane traffic in December 2022.
- Concerns about the cliff face’s stability had kept the road one-way until a revised safety plan was implemented.
- The revised plan includes closing the road when specific rainfall triggers are met, and newly installed gates will be used to divert traffic.
- Local residents are pleased with the road’s reopening, as it will improve traffic flow and reduce pressure on alternative routes.
Introduction to the Road Closure
More than three years after a slip first closed Stafford Drive in Tasman, the scenic road has finally opened to two-lane traffic. The road, located just north of Māpua, was closed by a slip during the August 2022 storm, which caused significant damage and disruption to the local community. After around 700 cubic meters of material was removed, the road reopened to single-lane traffic in December 2022. However, concerns about the ongoing stability of the cliff face had left the road as one-way, until last week, when a revised safety plan was implemented, allowing for the road to reopen to two lanes.
Assessment and Reopening
According to a Tasman District Council spokesperson, observations of the cliff face’s behavior and a reassessment by a geotechnical professional enabled the adjustment of the management plan for the site, allowing for the reopening of the road to two lanes. However, the spokesperson warned that the risk of further slips remains, and the district’s winter storms had a minimal impact on the cliff face. The fact that the storms had a minimal impact was seen as both pleasing and concerning, as it did not dislodge the main area of risk that the geotechnical professional had identified. This highlights the ongoing need for caution and monitoring of the cliff face to ensure the safety of road users.
Revised Safety Plan
A revised safety plan has now been implemented to close the road once specific rainfall triggers are hit, which indicate that the cliff is most at-risk of further slips. If a closure is required, newly installed gates on either side of the hill will be closed, and signs will advise drivers of the road status before diverting them along Pomona and Marriages Roads. This plan aims to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of road users while also allowing for the road to remain open to two-lane traffic for as long as possible. The implementation of this plan demonstrates the commitment of the local authorities to finding a balance between safety and convenience for the local community.
Impact on Local Traffic
Stafford Drive is a key route between Māpua and Tasman village, with traffic counts just 1km north on Aporo Road recording almost 2100 vehicle movements per day. The reopening of the road to two lanes is expected to improve traffic flow, particularly during busy periods. Local residents had gotten used to the single-lane traffic, but the return to two lanes is seen as a significant improvement. Tasman Area Community Association chair Greig Caigou expressed his pleasure at seeing the scenic road return to two lanes, stating that it "clears up the flow" of traffic when it is busy. He also noted that the alternative route, which involves diverting traffic along Pomona and Marriages Roads, could become "problematic" once buses or trucks use it.
Community Response
The reopening of Stafford Drive to two-lane traffic has been welcomed by the local community, who appreciate the improved access and reduced pressure on alternative routes. Caigou stated that residents are "just happy that there’s access, really, without added pressure on that alternative route." The fact that the road has reopened to two lanes demonstrates the commitment of the local authorities to finding solutions to the challenges posed by the slip and to ensuring the safety and convenience of the local community. The implementation of the revised safety plan and the reopening of the road to two lanes mark a significant milestone in the recovery efforts following the August 2022 storm, and the local community can look forward to improved traffic flow and reduced disruption in the future.