| 43 Hunter Civil: Candys Creek Reatining Repairs SOLUTIONS Bridge Construction Design & Build Services Marine Construction Drilling & Anchoring Civil & Concrete Construction Three Waters Infrastructure Seismic Strengthening & Repairs Sheet Piling & Temporary Works 0 3 3 8 1 7 0 9 4 w w w . h u n t e r c i v i l . c o . n z REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Upgrades underway on a vital route The Candys Bend site has been identified as a key vulnerability on State Highway 73, due to the condition of the ageing retaining wall and its proximity to Candys Creek. More complex elements of the project include river management works in the Otira River, with boulders being repositioned to support flow realignment and reduce pressure on the structure. Marking a significant investment in safeguarding one of the South Island’s most critical transport links between Canterbury and the West Coast, the Candys Bend resilience works on State Highway 73 are now underway. The project, led by Hunter Civil and delivered in partnership with NZ Transport Agency, focuses on repairing a damaged retaining wall at Candys Creek between Arthur’s Pass Village and Otira. The structure, originally built in the 1950s, supports both the highway and bridge above, and was severely impacted by flooding in 2018. Transport Minister Chris Bishop says State Highway 73 is a lifeline corridor relied on for freight, tourism, business activity, and the many communities that depend on it for daily connectivity. He says ongoing investment in resilience is essential, given the route’s exposure to extreme weather and seismic risk, particularly through the alpine section linking Christchurch and the West Coast. Because of its strategic importance, NZ Transport Agency has prioritised maintaining access, while also strengthening long-term performance of the corridor. The Candys Bend site has been identified as a key vulnerability, due to the condition of the ageing retaining wall and its proximity to Candys Creek. While the structure is not considered an immediate risk to road users, engineers have warned that a major flood or seismic event could trigger failure, with potential to disrupt the entire South Island transport connection. The Minister says early intervention is the most cost-effective and safest approach. “If the wall deteriorates further, it would likely need full replacement at significantly higher cost,” he says. “Investing now, ensures we protect this critical connection and reduce long-term risk.” The repair scope includes filling voids behind the retaining wall with mass concrete, installing new drainage systems, and undertaking structural repairs at the crest and face where Candys Creek discharges on to the site. Works will also include shotcrete facing and targeted stabilisation at the toe of the structure. More complex elements of the project include river management works in the Otira River, with boulders being repositioned to support flow realignment and reduce pressure on the structure. A keyed toe beam will also be excavated and constructed below the existing riverbed level to strengthen the base of the wall. Temporary traffic management and site-access arrangements are a key part of delivery, due to the remote and constrained alpine environment. Contractors may construct an access track from Starvation Point, use a cableway system from the Otira Gorge Rock Shelter Lookout, or combine both methods, depending on conditions. Environmental management is also central to the programme, with works required to meet strict approval conditions. The Department of Conservation will work alongside NZ Transport Agency and local iwi to protect native flora and fauna in the Candys Bend and Candys Creek area. The project is funded through the Crown Resilience Programme, which is investing $419 million over seven years in strengthening nationally significant infrastructure. The Candys Creek retaining wall repairs carry a budget of about $8 million, reflecting the technical complexity of working in a steep alpine river environment. The SH73 corridor is widely regarded as one of the most important freight and tourism routes in the South Island, linking Canterbury with the West Coast’s industries, communities, and visitor economy. The outcome of the Candys Bend resilience works will be a strengthened, more resilient highway corridor better able to withstand future extreme weather events, while maintaining safe and reliable access for all road users.
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