Intersection upgrade delayed

The completion of a $960,000 upgrade to a busy Kaiapoi intersection has been delayed after problems were found with a new water main.

Smith St has been a hub of construction activity for the past eight months while Waimakariri District Council contractors upgraded the intersection with Williams St.

The work included the installation of a new roundabout, central islands and four intersection splitter islands.

There have also been kerb and channel upgrades, and new stormwater, sewer and water pipes have been installed.

The project will take an extra month to complete after the way a water main was installed caused the shoulder of the road to subside.

Council roading manager Joanne McBride said it was unfortunate the work had to be redone, but it was important to get it right.

‘‘While the majority of work went as planned, an issue with the installation of the water main was identified during construction, resulting in the need to repair an area where the ground has subsided between Williams St and Princess Pl,’’ she said.

McBride said it was not uncommon for issues to be identified post-construction.

The repairs – which involve digging a 1.5 metre to 2m-wide trench – are being completed by the contractors at no extra cost to ratepayers.

Part of Smith St has been cordoned off while the repairs are carried out.

McBride said the council would do as much as it could to minimise disruption to nearby homes. Access to driveways will be restricted at times, but will be restored by the end of each day.

On-street parking is also affected, and traffic management will be in place with signs and temporary speed restrictions until the work is finished.

‘‘We would like to thank residents in the area for their patience while the final work is completed,’’ McBride said.