Work to remove a damaged seawall ramp and stairs at the
Esplanade at St Clair and construction of replacement beach
access will not take place before the summer.
Dunedin city council transportation policy engineer Pieter
Besuijen said staff had decided it would make more sense to
dismantle the stairs and ramp at the same time as work on
installing new access was done.
The stairs and ramp were closed permanently in September last
year, after being repaired multiple times following damage
from high seas.
The intention had been to remove the damaged stairs and ramp
before summer, but it was decided it would be cheaper to do
all the work together, as part of one contract, Mr Besuijen
said.
The council did not want to do the work over the summer when
the area was busy, as it would require the use of a crane and
other heavy machinery.
The design and exact location of the new access was not yet
decided, as the council was waiting on information from the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. However, it
was expected the work would begin after summer and would be
done before July next year.
The council reached a confidential agreement with engineering
firm CPG in August, after the firm, which merged with the
firm that designed the stairs and ramp, did not initially
accept liability for their continued failing.
The council has budgeted $130,000 for the work this financial
year.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.