Contractor appointed for Hughes Place stormwater outfall upgrade
Buller District Council (BDC) will soon begin works to renew and upgrade a section of the Hughes Place/Disraeli Street stormwater main near the Buller River, at the western end of Hughes Place and The Esplanade.
Westport-based WestReef Services Limited has been appointed as the successful contractor for these works. These works form part of a series of improvements to this key stormwater asset. The works will upsize the pipeline and align its capacity with newly determined stormwater modelling data to accommodate current and future needs.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “The works will be carried out in a staged process, forming part of an ongoing strategy to help resolve long-standing upstream drainage issues, such as those experienced on the corner of Disraeli and Queen Streets and in southern Peel Street during local heavy rain events.”
The project will be undertaken ahead of any potential floodwall activities planned for the same general area, preparing for the future with the installation of long-life, brand-new pipes and structures.
“The work is technical in nature and will extend deep underground, utilising deep trench shields and box shields during construction. These protect staff working onsite and have the advantage of stabilising the surrounding ground and allowing excavation widths and trench benching requirements to be kept to the smallest possible footprint,” details Mr Blom.
The budget for this repair is $600,000, which is being co-funded by central government’s Better-Off Funding ($200,000) and existing BDC stormwater budgets ($400,000).
Site establishment for the physical works is scheduled to begin on Monday 9 February, with project completion expected within eight weeks of this date. Due to the nature of the repairs, the work schedule is heavily reliant on favourable weather and river conditions.
Several properties at the far western end of Hughes Place and The Esplanade will be direct neighbours of the construction works for this repair, and residents have been contacted prior to construction.
There will be no disruption to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail (KCT) itself for the duration of this work. During the second half of project construction (predicted to be the final four weeks, in March), the carpark for the KCT near the Buller Bridge will not be available, but the trail will still be open and accessible.
Please note there will be no through-route available on the Buller Cycling Club’s Kawatiri River Trail (KRT) from the Toki Poutangata Bridge to the Buller Bridge for the duration of the project, however trail users can use the footpath or road along The Esplanade to connect with the Kawatiri Coastal Trail to Carters Beach. While the through-route will be blocked at the upstream end of the river trail, the rest of the KRT’s internal loop will remain open throughout. Signage will be placed at the trailhead to advise users.
“This upgrade moves towards increased capacity for stormwater services in the Hughes Place/Disraeli Street catchment, assists with drainage issues in the wider area and prepares for any future floodwall construction in the area. Council remains committed to improving resilience to future weather events,” concludes Mr. Blom.
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For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz
Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.