Onewa roadworks criticised

BEN WATSON

SNAIL-PACE: Contractors taking ages to finish the roadworks on Onewa Rd has drawn flak from residents.

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The snail-pace progress of road works on Onewa Rd has put North Shore City Council in the firing line.

Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman and residents want answers from the council on why it is taking so long to finish the upgrade between Lake Rd and Sylvan Ave, one of Auckland's most congested routes.

Dr Coleman says the slow work has aggravated the traffic problem on Onewa Rd.

"The longer it drags, the worse it gets for motorists on Onewa Rd," he says.

"I've never seen anyone working on the project and people have to contend with endless delays."

Dr Coleman says the council should speed things up and get the contractor to work day and night if necessary to complete the project.

Northcote Residents Association secretary Brian Plimmer says their members share Dr Coleman's frustrations.

"We've been surveying our members and the overwhelming response is they are unhappy with the way traffic is being messed around by the council," he says.

The $3 million project includes widening Onewa Rd and the approach from Lake Rd and extending the shared pedestrian and cycle path from Queen St to Onepoto Bridge.

Council infrastructure and environment committee chairman Ken McKay says there are many factors influencing the pace of work on any roading project and Onewa Rd is no exception.

"The weather has been no help but is not the major factor in deciding the pace of work – the project has been split into nine phases to minimise disruption to road users and reduce the impact on residents along the length of the site," he says.

Mr McKay says complaints about delays along Onewa Rd received by the council were linked to accidents or situations outside the site and have not been caused by the work.

"I am pleased to say this project will be completed on time as planned and within budget by the end of November," he says.

Normal work hours are from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 4pm on Saturdays, with no work on Sundays.

Work on another council project – the $8m Lake Rd corridor upgrade in Takapuna – has been allowed outside normal work hours.

- © Fairfax NZ News