Road closure as Black Creek Project enters final phase

Motorists and users of public transport in Wainuiomata will be asked to take a diversion around a partial closure of Fitzherbert Road starting on Tuesday 13 December.

Work being planned will complete the final stage of the $2.6 million Black Creek Stormwater Protection project which will prevent flooding of the area.

“We are asking motorists and people travelling on buses to work with us as we set out to finish this final stage of Black Creek,” said Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace.

He said there will be some delays in the peak commuter traffic.

“I expect most people will find the Moohan Street and Main Road intersection will be a key point for some delays and we are seeking the patience of everyone for a period of up to six weeks when the work is carried out.

“The benefits will be a significant improvement in flood protection and a substantial reduction in the possibility of floods like those in 2004 which caused extensive damage and disruption,” he said.

Fitzherbert Road between Parkway and The Strand is scheduled for closure through to 31 January 2012, with traffic being diverted via Moohan Street or Parkway. Temporary bus stops will be in place on Moohan Street between Wright and Petrie streets for No 80 (North) and No 160 buses.

“We are hopeful that by choosing to undertake this work over the festive holiday break, disruption will be kept to a minimum.

”Contractors Riverside Construction will be installing a new culvert over the Parkway Drain, between The Strand and the Wainuiomata Fire Station. Detour signs will be in place to alert drivers who are unaware of the closure.

Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to pass along Fitzherbert Road using a specially constructed footbridge.

New footbridges have also been built at the end of Best Street and Rata Street, along with stream widening and embankment development, as part of the Black Creek project.

Project manager Mike Prasad, of Capacity Infrastructure Services, says that once completed, Parkway Drain and Black Creek should be able to cope with once-in-100-year floodwaters.