|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Disruptions around Pukekohe will continue as Watercare runs into challenges with its installation of a new four-kilometre pipeline.
Sections of the pipeline are being installed near the Pukekohe Train Station – and are part of a $98.2 million programme that also includes a larger wastewater pump station on Isabella Drive, Pukekohe North.
Station Road is a key access point and on-road parking site for commuters and the nearby industrial area. Traffic is particularly bad during school drop-off and pick-up, with vehicles backed up along East Street to the Golding Street/Pukekohe East Road/Belgium Street roundabout.
In Buckland, the Logan Road/George Street intersection also has higher traffic volumes, particularly trucks, with an adjacent level railway crossing.
Di Cole runs racing supplies store, Garrards inside the Franklin Park Harness track on Station Road and says the ongoing road closure is crippling the business.
“Due to signage at the Yates Road end saying, ‘road closed’ and ‘residents only’ we are getting zero-foot traffic and even account holders are notifying us after the fact that they cannot access us. We have tried asking for the signs to be moved further up the road while works are still at the Station Road end, but this appears to have fallen on deaf ears.”
Cole says sales are down to about a third due to the road closure.
Watercare confirmed that the work outside Pukekohe Train Station is now complete, with the car parking outside the station reinstated.
Works further up Station Road towards Subway Road remain on track for completion by the end of September.
The original end-of-July timeframe was delayed due to unforeseen ground conditions, including peat soils, high groundwater levels and the need for additional geotechnical assessments, Watercare says.
From August 24, Franklin Road will be closed to northbound traffic between Franklin Leisure Centre and Reynolds Road. The southbound lane from Cape Hill Road roundabout up to Stadium Drive will remain open with diversions in place.
During the closure, street parking will be limited.
Watercare expects to finish this stage of work in November.
