From next Monday (28 June 2021) Apanui Avenue will be closed at the McGarvey Road intersection as construction starts on traffic calming measures to make the avenue safer for pedestrians and residents.

There will be no road access from McGarvey Road into Apanui Avenue until approximately 18 July. During this time a wide concrete ‘threshold’ will be built at the intersection which requires approximately 10 days to harden before use by vehicles.

The measure is part of a three-stage construction of the Apanui Avenue Neighbourhood Greenway which is an action of Active Whakatāne. Project Manager Joe Metcalfe says a number of residents took the opportunity to provide feedback during the development of the final plan, which will create safer crossing points on Apanui Avenue designed to allow children to walk or scooter more safely while reducing traffic speeds on the busy road.

“We’ve spoken with Apanui School, Kohanga and Kindergarten and provided information to share with parents around school drop offs while the roadworks are underway. We appreciate that the road closure will cause some inconvenience for the school community and residents, and ask for everyone’s patience and consideration while we make these safety improvements.”

The second and third stages of the Greenway project have been timed for later in the year, once the stretch of McAlister Street watermain project is completed in that area.