Contractors working on the $3.285 million North West Ashburton wastewater project are ahead of schedule and have moved from Allens Road to Carters Road.

The project involves laying 2km of pipes in the area and building a new pump station, so wastewater from current and future development can be delivered to Middle Road, where it will enter the town’s existing wastewater system.

The first stage of work along Allens Road was expected to be complete by 11 October, but contractors Tru-Line Civil are ahead of schedule and re-opened Allens Road to traffic on Friday 7 October, four days earlier than planned. Stage two is on Carters Road and stage three is on Farm Road.

Traffic is now being managed on Carters Road while new pipes are being laid. The road is temporarily closed to all vehicles and pedestrians, except residents, who still have access.

Council Infrastructure Services Group manager Neil McCann said the project was progressing nicely and the contractors had been working on Carters Road since late September, well ahead of schedule.

“This means we should be able to re-open Carters Road to traffic ahead of the 8 December timeframe we have planned for, though the work schedule does depend on the weather and we have been lucky so far.

“The contractors will return to Allens Road around March to work on the pump station.”

Mr McCann said the contractors would continue to work with residents regarding access to properties while the machines and work crews did their jobs.

“We really appreciate everyone’s patience while the project moves forward. We know it can be disruptive at times and we are continuously coordinating with all affected residents as the work moves around its different stages.”

The planned stages of work all require traffic management on the following roads:

• Carters Road, between Allens Road and Farm Road – until 8 December
• Farm Road, between Carters Road and Racecourse Road – 9 December to 17 January 2023
• Farm Road, between Carters Road and Middle Road – 18 January 2023 to 1 March 2023
• Allens Road, between Carters Road and Middle Road – 2 March 2023 to 29 May 2023

“We know many people in the wider community also use the north-west area for exercise, so we are asking them to also be prepared for some disruption to their usual routines.”

The new wastewater line will enable more residential development in the area, which is mostly zoned Residential C, and it will allow others to decommission their septic tanks and connect to the new system.

Anyone wanting to be kept informed of updates on the project should sign up for free e-newsletters at ashburtondc.govt.nz.

Council’s website will also carry regular updates about the project.