Great progress means early start to aboveground works for Pahiatua

Pahiatuaos Main Street upgrade is having a positive effect and people are looking beyond the cones, Tararua District Councillor (Cr) Shirley Hull, says.

Cr Hull, Governance Leader for the project, says excitement is building in the town in the runup to the start of the aboveground works.

pThis project has been in the planning mode for so long and to see it coming to fruition is very exciting,q she says. pAt the moment there is some inconvenience as the ground is dug up for the underground works, but everyone has seen how clean the work has been, with minimal disruption. The guys working on the project have done a great job.q

Stuart Malins, Project Manager, says the sewer installation is progressing really well and is currently around 50 per cent complete on the western side of stage 4, Tatanas have a second crew following on behind the Main Sewer pipe install with a crew installing the laterals into the adjacent properties. The sewer installation will continue down Main Street, towards Huia Street, and then onto Duke Street instead of crossing the road as originally planned.

pThe water guys have completed the 100mm pipe within Stage 3, and currently pressure testing and disinfecting the new pipes. The footpaths within stage 1 should be sealed this week and asphalt laid next week, weather permitting.

Water services installation will follow closely behind the sewer installation, The urban crew has relocated plants within the garden areas. We have had unexpected clashes with a gas main and fibre cables which both required lowering for the sewer main on the Mangahao Road Main Street junction.

Stuart says the crews are hoping to start to the aboveground work in two weeks, which will be concentrated on Stage 3, Side B (mainly between Trade Smart and Motorcycle HQ).

The aboveground works will transform the Pahiatua town centre into a vibrant and thriving central area which brings a sense of pride to the community and is safe and welcoming for all.

Features include an upgraded median area with large lawns creating flexible, multi-use spaces for play or gatherings, a mix of planting, concrete pavement areas, seating and hard wood decks.

Ways you can find information: r

rr r r r

Website: tararuadc.govt.nz/projects

Facebook: facebook.com/tararuadc

Email: Sign up on the website (link above)

Bush Telegraph: Tararua District Council publishes a full-page in the Bush Telegraph every week and project updates and news regarding the Upgrade will be published here as they are made available.

Hard-copy: Hard-copies of project updates can be picked up from the Pahiatua Service Centre, Pahiatua Library or Pahiatua Information Centre.

Toolbox Meetings with the Project Team: Toolbox meetings are a way to get everyone on the same page about the weekos upcoming work. The meetings provide an opportunity for people to gather information, ask questions and give feedback. Meetings will be held on the first Monday of every month from 8:00am to 8:30am in the Pahiatua Service Centre, 136 Main Street.

If you have an urgent enquiry, you can call 06 376 0110 to speak with a member of the Project Team.

pWeove given our community plenty of opportunities to have their say on the upgrade and with nothing done to Pahiatuaos Main Street since pre-1990, other than Harvard Park, this whole Main Street approach is exciting,q Cr Hull says.pAll the feedback at the moment is on how people are coping with the underground work, but they are also seeing the benefits.q

Great progress means there will be an early start to aboveground works and Cr Hull says she canot wait to see the new lighting which will replace the old under-verandah lights.

pThe new lights will be going along the edge of the footpaths and itos going to look stunning,q she says. pAs a community we also have some nnice to haveo features.

Cr Hull says these nnice to haveo features are being discussed by the Project Team in conjunction with Pahiatua On Track and other community organisations.