The dust rises as the grader and traffic use the northern approach to the Whakaruatapu Bridge.
The dust rises as the grader and traffic use the northern approach to the Whakaruatapu Bridge.
Sometimes the residents around the Whakaruatapu (Skinny) bridge wonder why they pushed so hard to have it replaced.
Since November 2014 when past Mayor Roly Ellis turned the first sod on the Whakaruatapu project north of Dannevirke, there has been a huge amount of disruption as trees were cut down,the highway realigned, deep cuts made into the landscape, heavy machinery thundered by and noise, dust and vibrations became a permanent way of life.
For the residents just north of the bridge machines compressed the new road, the traffic shuddering through potholes and now dust as the highway is graded to a fine surface ready for sealing, patience is wearing thin.
One resident has even written a poem to vent his spleen.
Inquiries to the NZ Transport Agency has elicited this response from Ross I'Anson, Highway Manager, NZ Transport Agency.
"We are aware of local concerns regarding the dust being generated by the unsealed section of the road. To help suppress the dust, until we are able to chip seal, we have a contractor on-site regularly spraying the road with water," he said.
"While the top surface of the road may be dry enough to create dust conditions, we need the next level down (the base level) to dry out as currently it is too wet to allow us to seal the road. Warm temperatures and dry air helps the new seal stick to the new granular road base. Wet road conditions will affect the bond between the chip seal and the road, which could lead to chip seal failures.
The road over the new culvert is progressing despite wet weather.
"We are hopeful that weather conditions will enable contractors to start the chip sealing work this week. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place. Road users can play their part to help keep dust down by sticking to this limit.
"It is expected that the new road over the culvert will be able to be used from late February, when the existing bridge will be demolished. Further landscaping and tidy up work will take place throughout January/February 2017."
