Delays hold up reopening
The transformation of a narrow country lane on the outskirts of Palmerston North into a significant urban road is taking longer than planned.
James Line was expected to reopen to traffic in July or August, but delays on the hill section have stretched that forecast out to September or October.
City council project manager Mark Read said construction of the 180-metre top section of the work from Rosalie Tce to the railway line was going well.
That was likely to enable traffic to be able to use the Rosalie Terrace intersection from July, allowing a more convenient connection for many vehicles.
But the link from State Highway 3 up the hill to the railway line was taking longer, delaying the reopening of the route, which has been closed since November.
At issue were weaknesses in existing stormwater pipes that became apparent after work began, requiring some replacements and a re-design.
That work had to be done before work on a new earth embankment could be carried out. Read said while contractors had enjoyed a ‘‘fair’’ run with the weather, the speed with which construction could proceed could be further slowed by rain.
Once the road was built up, there was a new roundabout to construct that would connect new subdivision links running parallel to the state highway.
The roading project also involved footpaths, kerb and channelling, street lighting, and water, stormwater and wastewater upgrades to serve not only the immediate residents, but also the new suburb to be developed at Whakarongo.
Read said the extra stormwater work had increased the total value of the project from $4.3 million to $4.7m.
Ratepayers would be saved the pain of stumping up with the extra money, as the council had been successful in getting a subsidy from the New Zealand Transport Agency that would cover the balance.
It had been earlier assumed there would not be any subsidy available.