Motorists who normally travel to and from the Whakatāne central business district on Hillcrest Road may face delays, or a detour via Gorge Road, over the next three weeks.

Major stormwater improvement works starting early next week will require the closure of the escarpment section of Hillcrest Road during daylight hours for several days while the road surface is reshaped. This will see the installation of a ‘dish channel’ at the base of the escarpment, which will require approximately 70 cubic metres of rock to be trimmed from outcrops protruding into the roadway. The road is expected to reopen for night access, with a temporary traffic light system in place.

The project also involves the installation of stormwater catchpits in the Seaview Road area and is designed to address the flooding issues which have affected some George Street properties during heavy rainfall events.

Whakatāne District Council Manager Transportation, Martin Taylor, says the work is expected to take up to three weeks to complete.

“This project will substantially reduce the volume of stormwater flowing down Hillcrest Road and ensure that any surface flow is channelled along the escarpment side of the road into the stormwater system,” he says. “Road closure signs will be put in place at the Seaview Road Lookout, at the bottom of Hillcrest Road and at the Hillcrest Road/Gorge Road/Ohope Road intersection on the days that access will be affected. During the closure periods, traffic will be temporarily diverted via Gorge Road.”

Mr Taylor says the Council appreciates that the road closures will cause some inconvenience, particularly for people living in the Hillcrest area. “The Council and the contractor involved, Waiotahi Contractors Limited, will ensure that access is reinstated as quickly as possible.”

Work has already been undertaken in the CBD area to increase the efficiency of the existing stormwater pipelines and the upcoming work in the escarpment catchment will complete the improvement package.