A major storm event on the West Coast recently caused widespread disruption, cutting all road access into and out of the region. Several critical routes were closed due to significant slips and underslips, including State Highway 6 near Coal Creek, south of Murchison, leaving communities and freight operators isolated.
At this location, the rapid reopening of SH6 was critical to restoring connectivity for local communities and maintaining essential freight movements. The speed and effectiveness of the emergency response were made possible through the use of Interbloc precast concrete blocks, which enabled the fast construction of a temporary single-lane carriageway capable of carrying heavy vehicles.
One of the key advantages of the Interbloc solution was local availability. Interbloc units were already stockpiled at Fulton Hogan’s Appleby Quarry, allowing construction crews to mobilise immediately. This eliminated the significant delays that would have occurred if materials had needed to be transported from Christchurch via Blenheim, enabling repair works to begin without delay and the highway to reopen sooner.
This project demonstrates how modular, reusable infrastructure systems such as Interbloc can play a vital role in emergency response and network resilience, particularly when supported by strategic local stockpiling. The ability to deploy a proven, heavy-duty solution at short notice was instrumental in reducing downtime on a critical transport corridor.
Credit goes to Fulton Hogan and all crews involved for their efficient, safe, and highly effective work under challenging conditions.
