Richmond roundabout upgrade ahead of schedule
The upgrade of a busy roundabout at the northern entrance to Richmond is about two weeks from completion, meaning the $2 million project is approximately six weeks ahead of schedule.
Tasman District Council community relations manager Chris Choat said the roundabout, at the intersection of Salisbury and Champion roads, should be fully functioning in about two weeks with just some minor work continuing ‘‘around the sides’’.
A ‘‘better and quicker’’ way of working had been found during the project, Choat said.
News the upgrade is ahead of schedule is likely to be wellreceived by commuters as well as business owners near the site, some of whom said the disruption was affecting their bottom lines. The roundabout is the busiest in the Tasman District with about 17,000 vehicle movements a day.
A new Countdown supermarket is also taking shape fast on the southeast corner of the intersection, adjacent to the roundabout.
Countdown acting general manager property Matt Grainger said construction was progressing well at the Richmond site ‘‘and we’re really looking forward to opening our first four Green Starrated store for the community in late June’’.
‘‘We’ve enjoyed working closely with Tasman District Council and have appreciated having a collaborative relationship that’s allowed us to stay well ahead of schedule on this project.’’
The roundabout upgrade work prompted temporary changes to the road layout around the site and a 30kmh speed limit.
Choat said another small roundabout at the intersection of Salisbury Rd and Templemore Drive, installed during the project, would be removed along with a slip road that had been constructed for southbound drivers on the Richmond Deviation section of State Highway 6 to access Champion Rd West, the Richmond Aquatic Centre and other businesses in the area.
Overhead power lines near the roundabout were being moved underground.