Shaken residents living beside a construction upgrade of the Caversham Highway say the project's works are causing stress.
Vibrations, dust, noise, and the uncertainty associated with ongoing works at the $19.5 million project to convert State Highway 1 into four lanes have created a "stressful living environment," Leckhampton Court, Dunedin, resident Jo Daggar said.
Her concerns were echoed last week by Bridge St neighbour Wendy Merritt, who said everything in her house shook from vibrations associated with the works, although she admitted nothing had been broken yet.
A 7.5 tonne oscillating roller, which creates less vibration than a previously used 10.5 tonne roller, will be used to compact infill works associated with a 6m-high concreteretaining wall on Bridge St, he said.
Vibrations "brought to our attention by residents" had been monitored by contractors and had needed to be addressed, Mr Underwood said.
While the oscillating roller, which has been brought down from Palmerston North, had added extra cost to the project, it was "reasonable, given the residents' concerns", Mr Underwood said.
Large concrete panels and foundations are being readied for respective 8m and 6m-high retaining walls on the Clydehill side of where South Rd runs under the Caversham bypass.
Drilling and compaction works would increase, with the retaining walls to be put in place and then infilled behind, Mr Underwood said.
Ms Daggar said the vibrations were shaking lime and mortar down from within a large central brick chimney, around which her wooden house is constructed.
"I lie awake listening to it all come down, while the house creaks and cracks as it settles after the shaking, every day," she said. .
The highway upgrade had also destroyed the value of her property, which she had owned for the past 17 years, Ms Daggar said.
