DESIGN changes and wet weather have been given as reasons for a roundabout opening late and over budget.
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Roads Minister Duncan Gay joined Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams at Lake Cathie on Monday to open the roundabout at the intersection of Ocean Drive and Houston Mitchell Drive.
The roundabout, which was jointly funded by the NSW Government and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, cost $6.2 million.
This is despite an initial estimated cost of $4.7 million.
Temporary road access to the school drove the cost up, according to a Roads and Maritime Services spokesman.
"The increase was for design changes made to ensure the roundabout met the needs of the community," the spokesman said.
Those design changes, combined with rain, also set the project back.
In March 2015, Council estimated the project would be complete by September.
"The completion date was revised due to delays in utility relocation, design changes and wet weather," the RMS spokesman said.
Along with the roundabout, Ocean Drive has been widened to four lanes on either side of the intersection.
More than 300 metres of Houston Mitchell Drive has been rebuilt.
Mrs Williams spoke of the benefits to motorists and pedestrians using that section of Ocean Drive.
"Locals will significantly benefit from new pedestrian and cycling paths which will help pedestrians safely cross the road at the roundabout," she said.
