Following the 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake in November 2016, New Zealand’s North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) team worked with RST Environmental, Profile® and PGG Wrightson Turf to stabilize damaged road and rail corridors. ProGanics® Biotic Soil Media™ (BSM™) and Flexterra® High Performance-Flexible Growth Medium® (HP-FGM®) were applied on steep, rocky slopes with scarce topsoil, using both ground crews and helicopter application. The approach focused on improving soil health, establishing vegetation and preventing erosion so transport links could reopen quickly. Roadside berms and slopes established vegetation within a few months and reclaimed sections withstood intense storms, including Tropical Cyclone Gita.
Key Points
- A 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused more than 85 landslides, damaging 194 kilometers (120 mi) of road and 150 kilometers (93 mi) of rail.
- The project addressed scarce topsoil, steep slopes, multiple agencies working in narrow corridors and 711 mm (28 in) of rain between June and October 2017.
- 17 tonnes (37,000 lb) of seed, 100 bales of ProGanics® BSM™, 700 bales of Flexterra® HP-FGM®, 1600 bales of Conwed Fibers® Hydro Mulch® 1000 and helicopter-applied polymer were used.
- Roadside berms and slopes established vegetation within a few months, and reclaimed sections withstood intense storms, including Tropical Cyclone Gita.
