There must be a million road cones in Christchurch, and I think we saw every single one. They were everywhere, lined up like soldiers in long rows as they moved the cars to this side of the road or the other. No matter where we drove, in the centre of the city or out in the suburbs, there were cones everywhere. Plus workmen digging holes, replacing pipes and resurfacing the road surface. In the central city alone there was around $160 million of earthquake damage to roads, bridges, wastewater, storm water and fresh water networks. This equates to 43km of wastewater pipes, 8km of fresh water pipes, 9 pump stations, 15 bridges and 62km of roading. This work is being undertaken by SCIRT (Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team) and is responsible for rebuilding horizontal infrastructure in Christchurch following the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.
Just a few of the million or so road cones in Christchurch
There were plenty of these signs around too
Shipping containers are plied one on top of each other holding this building in place. 
The steel rods are all twisted and torn
But it’s not all doom and gloom amongst all this damage. Although many of the damaged buildings have been levelled, there are also new ones are going up. The Restart Mall (made from brightly painted shipping containers) is buzzing and brings foot traffic into the city.
The Restart Mall
Bright and colourful Wall Art is popping up everywhere in the city, we particularly liked this one of a ballerina. Paintings brighten the bleak city walls of damaged buildings and bring a little cheer into people’s lives.
Very clever wall art
Although Christchurch has a long way to go to get the city back to normal, the people seem to take it in their stride and just get on with day to day living. That’s the Kiwi attitude, I guess, just knuckle down and get on with it. What else can you do?
2 comments:
Thanks for an update on Christchurch, it's 9 years since we visited this beautiful city, unfortunately we don't hear much of the continuing repair work & how the damage is still impacting on everyday peoples lives.......much like the ongoing reconstruction nearby to here from the bush fires 6 years ago. Love your travels.. Take care, Annette, Melbourne, Australia
Thanks Annette
It doesn't seem that much is happening but there is such a lot of work going on underground. That is the first stage, to get all those pipes repaired.
Still an awful lot more rebuilding to do too, including homes in the suburbs.
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