James Line completion in jeopardy
Heavy rain that caused surface flooding in central Palmerston North yesterday morning might also have delayed the reopening of James Line.
The year-long road reconstruction has been dogged by delays, but city council project manager Mark Read had been optimistic it would be done by Christmas.
But downpours on Wednesday afternoon and yesterday morning had damaged the new road surface before the chipseal had time to fully bind in.
Read said if the next few days were fine, contractors Higgins would do some remedial work.
If the new seal set properly, James Line would open on Christmas Eve.
If it didn’t, the access route to Kelvin Grove would remain closed over Christmas and New Year.
‘‘Our primary focus is on ensuring that when James Line is opened, it is to a high standard and will be safe for the public to use,’’ Read said.
If the surface carried traffic too soon, there was a risk of lots of loose chip on the road, or black bitumen could bleed through.
Yesterday’s sudden heavy downpour also saw some city streets, particularly Taonui St and Lombard St, covered in water, slowing traffic.
There was also surface water at the intersection of Fitzherbert Ave and Ferguson St.
Metservice recorded 24 millimetres of rain from 10am to 12pm. Manawatu¯ , Taranaki, Whanganui-ruapehu police posted on Facebook that weather was causing havoc on the roads and advised motorists to drive to the conditions.
‘‘Slow down, make sure your lights are on and be patient.’’
Bennett St in Cloverlea was covered in water, too.