Whakatāne District Council is advising caution for motorists travelling through central Whakatāne from next week, as changes to road layouts are rolled out around the Peace Street neighbourhood.
Transportation Manager Ann-Elise Reynolds says the changes are temporary measures as the major Peace Street stormwater and road safety upgrade enters its final stages.
“From this Monday (17 June) the last phase of the road works component of this project starts. This involves the construction of a roundabout, raised pedestrian crossings, footpath, and drainage works at the current Peace Street / McGarvey Road intersection - near the dairy.”
“Temporary road closures and detours will be in place in the neighbourhood for approximately five weeks while we complete this work,” explains Ann-Elise.
Peace Street will be closed entirely from Brabant Street to Peace Street Service Lane, with resident access only. McGarvey Road will be partially closed with resident access only from Sullivan Street to Peace Street, and from Pohutu Street to Peace Street.
“During this time, we anticipate an increase in traffic disruption around the wider Peace Street neighbourhood due to the traffic management needed to develop the roundabout,” says Ann-Elise. Adding, “Traffic will be redirected to access the town centre via Pohutu Street and Apanui Avenue and we expect all road works in the neighbourhood to be completed and all roads to re-open by Friday, 19 July (weather dependent).”
Ann-Elise says the wider project is tracking well and significant progress has been made in enhancing the neighbourhood’s resilience to heavy rain and improved road safety.
“To date, wider, deeper kerbside channels have been constructed along the full length of Peace Street. These channels, with improved gradients, now connect into the Peace Street Park sponge reserve, significantly improving surface water drainage from the road.”
Project Manager Three Waters Aimee Thumath says the transformation of the sponge reserve to improve stormwater quality and optimise catchment storage is also well underway.
“The construction of stormwater drains on the northern and southern sections of Peace Street Park have been completed. Excavation to shape and place rock on the remaining middle section of the park, along with building retaining structures for bank stabilisation, will be finished by August. Planting of native species will begin shortly after construction works are completed."
"The park area, previously a grass swale, will now feature high-capacity engineered drains that will more appropriately manage stormwater in this location and provide a naturalised habitat to support bird and aquatic life.”
For more information, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions see www.whakatane.govt.nz/peacestreet