Council staff and contractors will resume work on several important projects over the next few days as the district moves to Covid Level 3.
Whakatāne District Council’s team leader capital projects, David Wathall, said it was great to deliver projects for our communities and for contractors to be able to return to work after the Level 4 lockdown.
However, he reminded people that Level 3 restrictions would be in place and that health and safety remained a priority.
"We ask that people keep a safe distance from workers and continue to drive carefully past any contractors working on or near our roads," he said.
Key project updates include:
- McAlister St watermain project
Contractors will return to work today. Pipes have already been laid. The commissioning process will begin, with residents and businesses given advance warning of the necessary water shutdowns to connect them to the new watermain. The project is still expected to finish by the end of September despite lockdown delays. The council will renew the footpath shortly after the project is completed. - Sewer pipe improvements
Contractors will resume work on re-lining sewer pipes at several locations in Whakatāne, Tāneatua and Murupara. Any residents affected by this will be informed directly. - Kōhī Point Lookout Rd road sealing, new footpath
The road will be closed during working hours once this project resumes.
Other projects resuming soon include the Awatapu lagoon shared use path, which is 75% complete, and the Murupara Main Road footpath.
Scheduled maintenance of roads, street lights and other transport infrastructure is also set to resume.
Steps being taken by contractors to meet Level 3 requirements include working with reduced staff levels at some locations.