Planned Muriwai Drive maintenance and improvement works are scheduled to begin in February 2017, at a total cost of $1.2 million.

The maintenance components of the project were initially included in the Whakatāne District Council’s 2015/16 work programme, but were deferred to align with other major projects scheduled for 2016/17, including the Wairaka Centennial Park development.

Reporting to the Council’s Projects and Services Committee last week, Transportation Manager Martin Taylor said the initial scope of work was to re-strengthen the sealed surface with cement stabilisation and a new chipseal coat. However, additional heavy traffic loadings associated with harbour entrance dredging and mussel farm activities had increased the surface strength requirements, adding $210,000 to the original budget of $607,000.

“A further review was undertaken to ensure that the project would provide for the area’s long-term traffic and parking requirements and, as a result, the scope of work was increased to include wider traffic lanes and new areas of dedicated roadside parking,” Mr Taylor said. “Footpath widening has also been provided for opposite the entrance to Mataatua Te Mānuka Tutahi and in the area of Muriwai’s Cave. In total, this extra work has added close to $400,000 to the project cost.”

The Projects and Services Committee has recommended that the Council approves the revised scope of work, with the increased costs involved to be accommodated within existing roading budgets, plus funding from Development Contributions reserves.

Construction work will begin after the Waitangi Day long weekend, with key components timed to minimise impacts on residents and the major summer/autumn fishing and community events which will require access for additional traffic volumes along Muriwai Drive.