BRAEMAR ROAD – PERMANENT REPAIR WORKS STARTING SOON 

Following previous correspondence (Monday, September 4, 2023), please find the below update regarding upcoming permanent repair works to the damaged section of Braemar Road.
In July 2023, following an extended period of heavy rain, a section of Braemar Road (between Withy Road and property number 143) suffered severe damage after a large tomo formed on the northbound lane. An initial road closure was required, and following this, a temporary repair has been in place since August last year.

Permanent repair works commencing soon

We are pleased to advise, a permanent repair solution has been confirmed for this section of Braemar Road.
Construction works will start on the site on Monday, 18 March 2024 and are expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete. Therefore, we are expecting construction to be completed by approximately Friday, 10 May 2024 (weather dependant). Please note, heavy machinery will begin operating in the area this coming Tuesday as preparation works commence.
Due to the nature of work involved, construction will be completed under a full road closure for all road users for this section of Braemar Road.

What’s involved?

•    The repair involves major earthworks excavation which will see the whole road excavated 7 metres down from the existing level. This is required to remove the old and damaged stormwater culvert.
•    The excavated area will then be reconstructed with engineered fill and geogrid.
•    New subsoil drainage will be installed at the 7-metre level, to manage the flow of the springs during events where the water table is high.
•    A new larger size culvert will be installed to better accommodate heavier rain events.
•    The embankment will be fully reconstructed, with a new portion of road to be added at the final level.
•    Guardrails will also be installed on both sides of the embankment for safer travel along this portion of the network.

Detours

Detours are achievable via the following: 

•    Residents living along Braemar Road (including side roads) up to Withy Road are to access to/from Caverhill Road (northern end). 
•    Residents living from property number 143 and higher (including side roads south of Withy Road) are to access to/from SH30 (southern end). 

We understand these detours may add time on to your usual commute. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.  

Rubbish Collection

Kerbside rubbish services are not affected. Usual services are running via the detours provided.

Keeping you informed

We are committed to providing regular communication to all affected residents. We have developed a dedicated email address, braemarroad@whakatane.govt.nz to assist in providing prompt updates to affected residents. Please email us if you would like to receive communication directly to your inbox or alternatively, call 07 306 0500 and let one of our customer services team members know how best to contact you. These updates will also be uploaded to our website and found at www.whakatane.govt.nz/braemarroad.

Tēnā koutou i manawanui mai - thank you to everyone affected by this closure and the associated detours for your cooperation and patience while we carry out this important work. 

BRAEMAR ROAD – TEMPORARY ROAD REPAIR UPDATE

Following recent correspondence (Wednesday, August 17) please find the below update regarding the temporary repair to, and re-opening of Braemar Road.

Following construction on the temporary repair to the severely damaged section of Braemar Road, we have recently reassessed area and are pleased to advise, Braemar Road is now open to all vehicle classes (including heavies).

Please note, we are anticipating a permanent repair will not be in place for at least six months. It is also unlikely the current temporary repair will withstand the full six months without additional maintenance.

Therefore, for the interim we will be carrying out site inspections at least every fortnight and following any heavy rain event.

Permanent Repair Expected timeframes

The permanent repair required on this section of road is extensive and as mentioned above, we are envisaging a permanent fix will not be in place for at least six months. We are committed to undertaking works as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of all road users and contractors, and while also managing working within the parameters of material supply, ordering and delivery timeframes. We will continue to keep you updated once a permanent remediation option and methodology is confirmed.

Keeping you informed

We are committed to providing regular communication to all affected residents. We have developed a dedicated email address, braemarroad@whakatane.govt.nz to assist in providing prompt updates to affected residents. Please email us if you would like to receive communication directly to your inbox or alternatively, call 07 306 0500 and let one of our customer services team members know how best to contact you. These updates will also be uploaded to our website and found at www.whakatane.govt.nz/braemarroad.

Tēnā koutou i manawanui mai - thank you to everyone affected by this closure and the associated detours for your cooperation and patience while we carry out this important work. 

BRAEMAR ROAD – SEVERE CULVERT DAMAGE + ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE

Following recent correspondence (Wednesday, August 9) please find the below update regarding significant damage to a culvert on Braemar Road area and how this impacts residents in the area.

Closed section of Braemar Road to re-open to one lane this Friday

We are pleased to advise; work on the temporary repair to the closed section of Braemar Road commenced this past Monday and is nearing completion ahead of schedule. This section of the road will be reinstated to a single, unsealed lane, while we finalise the design for the permanent works.

From 5pm tomorrow, Friday 18th August, this section of Braemar Road will re-open to one lane only. Only light vehicles and Class 2 vehicles may use the re-opened lane at a reduced speed of 30 km/hr. A priority give way will be in place. 

Please note, no heavy vehicles above Class 2 are currently permitted to use this re-opened section of Braemar Road. 

Additional day closures for tree felling works 

In addition, from next Monday 21st to Thursday 24th August, this section of the road will temporary close during the hours of 7am and 5pm while we undertake tree felling works in the area. This closure is required for the safety of residents and contractors. 

Please note, this tree maintenance work was originally scheduled to coincide with the culvert repair works. However, due to the culvert work progressing one week ahead of schedule, we have made the decision to open the road on Friday to enable use over the weekend, before re-closing this section of the road for the tree maintenance work during the aforementioned days and times.

Detours

This section of Braemar Road will remain closed to heavy vehicles. Detours are achievable via the following: 

•    Heavy vehicles travelling on Braemar Road (including side roads) up to Withy Road are to access to/from Caverhill Road (northern end). 
•    Heavy vehicles travelling from property number 143 and higher (including side roads south of Withy Road) are to access to/from SH30 (southern end). 

Permanent Repair expected timeframes

The permanent repair required on this section of road is extensive and at this stage we are envisaging a permanent fix will not be in place until early next year. We are committed to undertaking works as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of all road users and contractors, and while also managing working within the parameters of material supply, ordering and delivery timeframes. We will continue to keep you updated once a permanent remediation option and methodology is confirmed.

Keeping you informed

We are committed to providing regular communication to all affected residents. We have developed a dedicated email address, braemarroad@whakatane.govt.nz to assist in providing prompt updates to affected residents. Please email us if you would like to receive communication directly to your inbox or alternatively, call 07 306 0500 and let one of our customer services team members know how best to contact you. These updates will also be uploaded to our website and found at www.whakatane.govt.nz/braemarroad.

Tēnā koutou i manawanui mai - thank you to everyone affected by this closure and the associated detours for your cooperation and patience while we carry out this important work. 

KERBSIDE RUBBISH AND RECYCLING SERVICES

Due to the closed section of Braemar Road, Whakatāne District Council is making some changes to the collection day for kerbside rubbish and recycling services on part of Braemar Road and part of McIvor Road.

The affected properties are:
•    143 to 836 Braemar Road (inclusive) 
•    Up to 544 McIvor Road

If your property is within this area and your kerbside bins are currently serviced on Mondays, your collection day will change to Friday. If your bins are currently serviced on Fridays, there is no change.
For those properties affected, we will service your bins on Monday, 21 August and also on Friday, 25 August. Your service will then be scheduled for Fridays after 25 August for the foreseeable future. This may change again after the road is open to heavy traffic, and we will communicate any updates as soon as possible.

For the affected properties, your collection schedule for the foreseeable future is:
•    Monday, 21 August – rubbish and recycling
•    Friday, 25 August – rubbish only
•    Friday, 1 September – rubbish and recycling
•    Friday, 8 September – rubbish only
•    etc

Thank you for your understanding. If you have any queries, please contact the Whakatāne District Council Solid Waste team.

Road closure update

We are pleased to advise; we have progressed with designs for a temporary repair to the closed section of Braemar Road. This section of the road will be reinstated to a single, unsealed lane, while we finalise the design for the permanent works.

This temporary repair will re-open one lane to light vehicles only via priority give way, and will require a reduced speed of 30 km/hr. 

Work will start this Monday 14th August on the installation of a temporary culvert, 4m down from the existing road level, to allow built up water to flow through the road.

This section of the road will remain closed during this work. We are expecting this work to take approximately two weeks to complete, and at this stage are aiming for the road to re-open to one lane on Friday 25th August. 

Detours

This section of Braemar Road will remain closed to heavy vehicles. Detours are achievable via the following: 
•    Heavy vehicles travelling on Braemar Road (including side roads) up to Withy Road are to access to/from Caverhill Road (northern end). 
•    Heavy vehicles travelling from property number 143 and higher (including side roads south of Withy Road) are to access to/from SH30 (southern end). 

Expected timeframes

The permanent repair required on this section of road is extensive and at this stage we are envisaging a permanent fix will not be in place until early next year. We are committed to undertaking works as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of all road users and contractors, and while also managing working within the parameters of material supply, ordering and delivery timeframes. We will continue to keep you updated once a permanent remediation option and methodology is confirmed.

Keeping you informed

We are committed to providing regular communication to all affected residents. We have developed a dedicated email address, braemarroad@whakatane.govt.nz to assist in providing prompt updates to affected residents. Please email us if you would like to receive communication directly to your inbox or alternatively, call 07 306 0500 and let one of our customer services team members know how best to contact you. These updates will also be uploaded to our website and found at www.whakatane.govt.nz/braemarroad.

Tēnā koutou i manawanui mai - thank you to everyone affected by this closure and the associated detours for your cooperation and patience while we carry out this important work. 

BRAEMAR ROAD – SEVERE CULVERT DAMAGE + ROAD CLOSURE

Following recent correspondence (Friday, July 7) please find the below update regarding significant damage to a culvert on Braemar Road area and how this impacts residents in the area.

What’s happening?

Following an unprecedented amount of rainfall in the past twelve months, a culvert on Braemar Road (between Withy Road and property number 143) has become blocked. On Friday 7 July, following three days of unsuccessful attempts to unblock the culvert, a large tomo formed on the northbound lane, exposing a cavity the full width of the lane.

This section of the road is on high, narrow embankment, there are tension cracks visible on the southbound lane and part of the gabion retaining wall has collapsed. 

What are we doing about it?

For the safety of all road users and contractors, a temporary closure is in place for a section of Braemar Road until further notice. The road is physically impassable by vehicle, until significant repairs are carried out.

Last Monday (10 July), an initial site inspection was completed by a Geotech Engineer. There is a large volume of built-up water behind the culvert. A pump has been installed and is currently operating to get this water moving along its previous path, until the blocked culvert is repaired/replaced. This is mitigating the immediate risk to the remaining road assets and downstream areas of the water finding its own path past the blocked culvert. 

The repair required on this section of road is extensive and the road will remain closed for the foreseeable future while investigation and design work is carried out. We are doing all we can to establish expected timeframes and will share this information as soon as the remediation option and methodology is confirmed.

Please note, we have not had physical works contractors on site because the complexity of this repair requires work to be done in preparation before any further physical repair works can occur.

What does this mean for me?

Detours

This section of Braemar Road remains closed for people’s safety. Detours for residents are achievable via the following: 

•    Residents living along Braemar Road (including side roads) up to Withy Road are to access to/from Caverhill Road (northern end). 
•    Residents living from property number 143 and higher (including side roads south of Withy Road) are to access to/from SH30 (southern end). 

We understand these detours may add time on to your usual commute. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.  

Rubbish collections

Kerbside rubbish services are not affected. Usual services are running via the detours provided.

Keeping you informed

We are committed to providing regular communication to all affected residents. We have developed a dedicated email address, braemarroad@whakatane.govt.nz to assist in providing prompt updates to affected residents. Please email us if you would like to receive communication directly to your inbox or alternatively, call 07 306 0500 and let one of our customer services team members know how best to contact you. These updates will also be uploaded to our website and found at www.whakatane.govt.nz/braemarroad

Tēnā koutou i manawanui mai - thank you to everyone affected by this closure and the associated detours for your cooperation and patience while we carry out this important work. 

BRAEMAR ROAD – URGENT CULVERT REMEDIATION + ROAD CLOSURE

This is the first of regular communication Whakatāne District Council will provide the Braemar Road community regarding significant damage to a culvert in the area and how this impacts you.

Contractors have been working with urgency on remediation work on a culvert located on a section of Braemar Road approximately 100m past the Withy Road intersection (between Withy Road and property number 143). It was hoped this work could be completed without the need for a prolonged road closure.

Unfortunately, this section of Braemar Road is in an extremely unsafe state.

For the safety of all road users and contractors, we now require a temporary closure to this section of Braemar Road until further notice to allow this work to be undertaken safely.

Detours are in place re-routing traffic in and out of the area via Kawerau or Awakaponga end, dependant on the location in relation to the work site.

We will be in touch next week with a further update on this situation. In the meantime, if you see anything of concern, please contact us as soon as possible on 07 306 0500 so we can respond with urgency.

Tēnā koutou i manawanui mai - thank you to everyone affected by this closure and the associated detours for your cooperation and patience while we carry out this important work.