Sections of two of the most well-used rural roads in the Ashburton District will be upgraded as part of a $2.3 million road rehabilitation contract awarded last week.

The two-year contract will see 4.7km of Thompsons Track and 5.1km of Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road made stronger and wider.

Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown said the roads had a number of failures that needed repair.

"The current road is not strong enough and wide enough to take the increasing volumes of traffic and heavy trucks and is in need of upgrading."

Council awarded the rehabilitation contract last week to HEB Construction.

"We are pleased to be expanding our presence in the Ashburton District, contributing to flooding response, local employment and the upkeep of the network that is critical to the area," said David Simpson, HEB Executive General Manager Civil and Maintenance.

HEB is a national road maintenance provider.

Both roads will be strengthened with 100-150mm of gravel construction on top. Thompsons Track will be widened from 6.5m to 8m seal width and Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road will be widened from 7.5m to 8m.

The rehabilitation work will be carried out over two years at the following sites, though timeframes may be affected by weather:

• Site 1 - Thompsons Track from Jamiesons Road to Line Road. Planned to start in October 2021 and be completed by Christmas 2021. Total length 1.715km.
• Site 2 - Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road from Grumbells Road to 1.5km south of Coskeries Road.  Planned to start in January 2022 and be completed by April 2022. Total length 2.405km.
• Site 3 - Thompsons Track from Line Road to Winchmore Lauriston Road. Planned to start in October 2022 and be completed by Christmas 2022. Total length 3.015km.
• Site 4 - Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road from Grumbells Road for 2.7km. Planned to start in January 2023 and be completed by April 2023. Total length 2.7km.

"The new roads will be up to the task as these roads are among the most highly trafficked rural roads in the district," added Mayor Brown.