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Road contractors have created a temporary bypass for experienced 4WD drivers around the slip on Queenstown’s Skippers Road.
The slip, which was discovered last week at Devil’s Elbow, saw a five-metre section of the historic road fall away into the Shotover River.
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Canyon collapse: A huge road slip at Skippers Canyon's notorious Devils Elbow near Queenstown
Picture: David Knowles
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The challenging nature of the bypass means it can only be used in dry conditions by experienced drivers in high-wheel based 4WD vehicles, using off road tyres.
Queenstown Lakes District Council transport manager Denis Mander says: “This bypass was checked and signed off by our engineer yesterday but access will need to be restricted to tourist operators and residents only.”
The bypass is cut through the earth to the right of the hole in the carriageway.
Access is limited to three times a day. The opening times have been worked through with operators to ensure their access needs and those of residents were being met.
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Repair job: The temporary bypass
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When the bypass is closed, it will be blocked off by machinery.
“Unfortunately we have to continue to close access to the public but the sooner we get the work completed the sooner we can reopen the road,” Mander says.
There is still a significant amount of material to be excavated for the road, from the rock wall to the right, but contractors are finding the work more straightforward than expected.
Both Otago Regional Council and Historic Places Trust have given Council the go ahead to undertake work on the new section of the road.
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