The Council's contractor, Seipp Construction is on track to finish the complex project on time, ready for the entire Lake Hood River Trail to be reopened for the Christmas holidays.

Council Infrastructure Services Group Manager Neil McCann says the Council is very pleased that the project is expected to be delivered on schedule, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdowns earlier in the year.

"This has been a major upgrade for Ashburton's wastewater infrastructure and the complexity involved really makes it a landmark project for our region.

"Seipp Construction have worked exceptionally hard to keep the project on track after having to stop work during the lockdowns, and their efforts are about to pay off for residents with the Lake Hood River Trail almost ready for reopening."

Work began on the project in early November 2019 with an expected completion date of December 2020.

Due to the location of the new pump station, the Lake Hood River Trail had to be closed between Boundary Road and Grove Farm Road and a detour was put in place.

Seipp Construction then began installing more than one kilometre of pipeline across the river from Milton Road South towards Wilkins Road. Of that, 220 metres is under the riverbed at a depth of 5 metres.

Sheet piles and waler beams were progressively installed to control the water flow and allow the contractors to excavate the riverbed as they made their way across the river.

The river crossing and pump station are anticipated to be officially opened next month.

The Lake Hood River Trail will be fully reinstated ahead of the Christmas period, with work expected to wrap up on 24 December.​