Slow progress for water pipe project
An existing water pipe has caused delays to a major 100-year water infrastructure project being installed on Cambridge Road.
A concrete thrust block on the original pipe was interfering with the completion of the new bulk water main connection at the Cambridge and Parallel Road intersection.
The thrust block, commonly used to reinforce high-pressure water pipes at severe angles, had been added to over many years and realignment was required to allow the new watermain installation to progress.
Waters services manager, Martin Mould, said the issue at the intersection and slow progress to date has resulted in an unanticipated 10-12 week delay.
“This issue was something we needed to deal with urgently in order to progress and it has affected our schedule negatively. Residents on Cambridge Road have been incredibly patient during a very disruptive period and this news is not something we had hoped to deliver.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank these residents who are also required to use the detour to access their properties. Their patience and understanding of this major project is greatly appreciated by everyone at Council.”
Project works stopped along the Cambridge Road section on Friday 20 December 2019 and will recommence Monday 6 January 2020.
Fibre Networks completed the repositioning works at the beginning of December, without interrupting water supply to residents on the Pukerimu supply.
Works have now progressed further along Cambridge Road and Mould added the project team is looking at options to reduce the new timeframe without compromising the water infrastructure.
“This infrastructure will be in place for approximately 100 years and will help to feed Te Awamutu residents as well as those on the Pukerimu supply so we need to ensure it is installed correctly at every step of the way. We have installed approx 1km of the 2.6km section along Cambridge Road and we have now moved further down to continue works.”
Work started on the Cambridge Road section of the bulk water main installation in September 2019 with an expected completion date of end January 2020. The additional unscheduled work has pushed the completion date to approximately the end of April 2020. For more information about the Te Awamutu water supply improvement project, head to waipadc.govt.nz/teawamutuwatersupply.