Nearly one kilometre of new sewer pipe has been laid by Council contractors, of the planned 5.1-kilometre installation from the Ashburton Hakatere River to Bridge Street in Netherby in recent weeks.

Following the milestone Ashburton River Crossing and Pump Station project completed in December 2020 the Ashburton Relief Sewer (ARS) project is making good progress into the Milton Road South and Wakanui Road areas.

“Some sections of the pipe installation have required digging down to an impressive 6.8 metres in the Milton South Road area,” said Infrastructure Services Group Manager Neil McCann.

“The deeper levels of pipe installation require a range of engineering measures such as nine-metre tall sheet piles, steel supports, and excavation works, as well as solutions to enable working up to three metres below the water table,” he added.

The sizable upgrade and eastern alignment of the sewer pipe is to support the current and future growth of the Ashburton Township and to relieve the existing, busy sewer network.

Council is working with individual residents to maintain open communication around access.

The Ashburton Hakatere River Trail remains open, however, access to it from Milton Road South is closed to cyclists and motorists.

The intersection at Milton South Road and Wakanui Road has now reopened after having been closed. Impacted areas due to road closures now affect users of Wakanui Road.

Further notices are to be expected in the next couple of months as the work approaches the intersection of Albert Street and Wakanui Road.
The project is expected to be completed by March 2022.

To stay informed of updates by visiting the ARS Project page.