Concrete to be re-laid along Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway

Concrete recently laid along the first stage of the Rapanui-Shag Rock Cycleway is going to be replaced because quality testing has revealed it is below the required strength.

The concrete will be replaced by the contractor at no additional cost to the Christchurch City Council.

“It is unfortunate this has happened because it will result in some delays to the project and further disruption to the people living and commuting on this route, but it is vital the concrete used in all Council projects meets the required standard for strength,’’ said Council Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Lynette Ellis.

Concrete laid along the first stage of the Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway is going to be replaced.

Laboratory tests are carried out on all roading projects to ensure the concrete is hard enough to stand up to the wear and tear that it will experience.

Those tests cannot be carried out until 28 days after the concrete has been laid as it takes four weeks for the concrete to cure.

“In this particular case the tests showed that almost all the concrete was below the required standard. If we left it, it is possible the concrete could crumble over the next couple of years,’’ Ms Ellis said.

Work to replace the concrete will start on Monday.

It will take about two months to complete and push the completion of the first stage of Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway, from Worcester St to Linwood Park, out to August.

The Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway is one of 13 major cycle routes the Council is investing $156 million in to create a network of cycleways across the city.

Quality testing of the concrete used in the other cycleways under construction has revealed they all meet the required strength standards.