Council and its contractor ACL have been working closely with Ashburton Hospital ahead of an eight-month project to install new water and sewer pipes along Elizabeth and Grigg Streets.

The work is planned to start on Monday 25 September and residents in the area have also been advised of the project.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said planning for the project involved making sure the work did not interfere with the hospital’s vital operations.

“ACL has a dedicated full-time public liaison officer for this contract and he will work from a site office located within the hospital grounds. The liaison officer will be available for both the public and hospital as a point of contact because we need to ensure staff, emergency services, patients and visitors are not affected.

“We will be replacing both water and wastewater pipes at the same time and using the one contractor, ACL, so disruption is kept to a minimum.”

The work will start at the intersection of Grigg and Philip Streets and finish at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Oak Grove.
Council staff and the contractor have met with hospital managers to discuss the hospital’s needs and a temporary water supply will be provided at times when the water supply is turned off.

“We’ve also worked with the hospital closely with regards to parking and deliveries. We know the work will be disruptive to all those who use Elizabeth Street and Grigg Street, but renewing these old water and sewer mains is important work to ensure our pipelines function as they should,” Mr McCann said.

A speed restriction of 30km/h will be enforced in the work area and traffic control during the project will include temporary lane closures, detours and parking restrictions.