Revolutionary Rubber Road Trial Planned for Canterbury
A groundbreaking trial for New Zealand’s first rubber road could soon begin in the Selwyn District, Canterbury. The council is preparing to test a rubber road surface in Glentunnel on State Highway 77, located 40km inland from Rolleston. This pioneering move is set to take place in January.
The rubber road project was introduced during a recent council briefing on infrastructure and property. When further details were requested, the council explained that it is "investigating the possibility of trialling this technology in Glentunnel" early next year, with more information to be shared as the project progresses.
Treadlite NZ, the only company supplying recycled rubber granules for pavements in New Zealand, is partnering with the council. Brad Pierce, the executive director of Treadlite NZ, expressed enthusiasm about the trial, stating, “I’m excited to see recycled rubber improving the performance of New Zealand roads across the country in the very near future."
Gareth Morgan, the head of operation delivery at the council, revealed the trial while discussing various innovative approaches the council is exploring for road management. "We are always looking for an opportunity to innovate and bring some extra value," he said. Along with the rubber road experiment, other road rehabilitation strategies include the use of plastic grids to bind roads more effectively without the need for deeper excavation. Additionally, the council has implemented StormBrixx, an underground stormwater management system to combat flooding by temporarily storing rainwater in interlocking plastic units.
In another innovation, the council is considering a new model where contractors lease road lanes for repairs instead of simply closing them off. This approach is intended to encourage contractors to complete their work quickly and efficiently, without unnecessarily disrupting traffic flow.
Despite concerns over the quality of local roads, Morgan pointed out that Selwyn’s roads are among the smoothest in New Zealand, according to data from NZTA. "There are people with more problems than Selwyn," Morgan noted. However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the district’s rapid growth and high traffic volumes, as well as the aging infrastructure. Even though Selwyn’s roads are still in good condition, the council is aware that maintenance costs are rising, with road surfaces gradually deteriorating under increased pressure.
The trial of rubber roads is one of several measures aimed at improving the region’s transportation infrastructure while keeping costs manageable. With Selwyn’s roads ranked fifth in the country for road network size, Morgan is confident that the innovative steps being taken will help maintain the region's road performance despite ongoing challenges.