Road works in Mosgiel dragging on

The road works on Gordon Rd will now last until early April. PHOTO: CHRISTINE O’CONNOR
The road works on Gordon Rd will now last until early April. PHOTO: CHRISTINE O’CONNOR
The NZ Transport Agency has said Mosgiel road reconstruction work, which has caused frustration among local business owners, will now run into early April.

In response to a letter to the Otago Daily Times coastal Otago maintenance contract manager Nick Rodger said major road foundation strengthening was needed, something which was not anticipated fully at the outset.

"Given it is the peak road-sealing summer season, crews are already stretched with projects committed, so this additional work comes on top of other demands.

"Working 24/7 is not an option, given the safety considerations, additional costs involved and also the disruption the work causes to nearby residents, keeping them awake."

Initially the roadworks, which began in January, were only expected to take six weeks.

Mosgiel Monte Carlo Milk Bar owner Jason Zeng said initially his business experienced a 40% drop in customer numbers because of the roadworks, and other businesses in the area had told him the same thing.

Customers were used to it now, but he was still frustrated it was going so slowly, and he still did not understand why.

Contractors were originally planning to work seven days a week on the roadworks, including nights.

However after complaints road crews were working until 11pm laying water pipes, 10pm was as late as they were going to go, Mr Rodger said.

Agora Butchery staff member Chris Blampied said he had not noticed a decline in the number of customers at the butchery, but there had been a lot of people complaining about parking.

"It's hard to get a park outside," Mr Blampied said.

"A lot of people are not happy about it. They don't seem to be making a lot of progress."

Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board chairwoman Sarah Davie-Nitis described the roadworks as "a necessary evil".

"It causes disruption and we know it is at times unpleasant. The work's got to be done, essentially."

Mr Rodger said work was happening on Saturdays, and would also take place on Otago Anniversary Day, on Monday.

" Finding a balance between working hard and long hours and disrupting retail activities and residents' peace is not always easy.

"Everyone is working hard to get this project completed.

"We thank all local residents and business owners for their patience while their accesses have been impeded and they have had detours around the town."

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