Ponsonby Rd being dug up a second time for footpath improvements

Workers rip up pavers on the Lincoln St and Ponsonby Rd intersection to replace with new basalt pavers. Photo / Bernard Orsman

Only months after a section of Ponsonby Rd was dug up for footpath improvements, workers are back digging up the same section of road.

A team of 10 workers from Downers were onsite today after the construction firm laid the wrong basalt stone pavers on the side ramps of a new raised table across Lincoln St.

The top of Lincoln St has been closed to traffic for a second time in months with fences and orange cones in place for pedestrian and vehicle safety.

The raised table is part of improvements at eight intersections along Ponsonby Rd to make the street more pedestrian friendly and attractive. The $1.67 million upgrade started in February and is due for completion later in the year.

Downer NZ northern transport services general manager Andrew Wallace said the remedial work was to ensure the new raised table on Lincoln St matched those on nearby Norfolk and Douglas Sts.

Basalt pavers on a traffic table on Norfolk St Ponsonby. Workers are ripping up pavers on adjacent Lincoln Rd to replace with new pavers like these New Zealand Herald photograph by Bernard Orsman

"The replacement basalt is a more durable stone and is machine cut which will ensure a better fit and meet the design criteria. The original stone did not meet the specification of the design and Downer will be replacing it at our cost," Wallace said.

"It is anticipated this work will take one week, subject to weather and traffic management will be in place."

An Auckland Transport spokesman said the basalt pavers had been laid incorrectly and were showing signs of wear. The new pavers would last 10 years, he said.

Waitemata Local Board chairwoman Pippa Coom said no one was happy about the situation, but Downer was doing everything it could to fix it.

She said the project, which has the strong backing of the Local Board, was all about creating a better pedestrian experience and slowing traffic down at intersections with Ponsonby Rd.

As well as the raised tables, there will be upgraded and wider footpaths, new street furniture and trees, better lighting and two new pedestrian crossings.

The speed limit on popular Ponsonby Rd was reduced to 40km/h in 2009 after years of campaigning following a high number of pedestrian injuries and two deaths on the road.