ROAD work on Park St and Warlters St will be completed by the opening of the new Kmart store on March 23. At least that is the plan.
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This week's weather prediction has the potential to wreak havoc on the progress of construction with crews racing the clock to finish on time.
Quasar Constructions project manager Serge Younan said the median crossing, the asphalt and other works on Park Street are complete.
“Everyone’s intent, and everything that has been scheduled, is to be finished by March 23,” he said.
“By the end of the day (March 15) the northern half of asphalt on Warlters St should be complete, as well as minor works at the intersection.”
Warlters Street still has work to be done, with asphalt to be laid and construction sites to be cleared.
“We are tidying up the remainder of the works around the intersection with line markings to be completed shortly,” he said.
A median island has been put in and has been adjusted to suit council’s grand design along the Marina strip.
A pedestrian crossing has been completed, linking Kmart and the marina shops.
Mr Younan said there is a risk, with all construction, heavy rain could hamper the schedule.
“But we are trying to accelerate works as much as we can, and have extra crews on to assist,” he said.
It has left some residents furious. A Bay Park Gardens resident, who did not wish to be named, said she has lodged complaints to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and Quasar Constructions about the construction works.
She claims the road works and associated power outages have run over schedule by hours at times, and was not happy with the responses she received.
“From the start I went to the council to view the plans and we (neighbours) put petitions in that were rejected,” she said.
“The traffic lights obstruct views and make it a high traffic area, as it is diverting traffic down our street.
“I was also against the median strip and the four lanes because our unit block of 50-odd townhouses has now lost all parking.”
In response to the complaints, Mr Younan said Quasar Constructions have only worked one Sunday to date, which was approved by council.
“Power outages were communicated via letter drops. Unfortunately some inconvenience occurred to residents due to the road works along homes on Warlters St,” he said.
“Quasar were not allowed to work at night due to noise limitations so we have managed the process the best we could under the circumstances.”
Council director Matt Rogers said that council have been addressing a number of concerns from residents regarding impacts from the Kmart development, and have been in constant contact with the contractor to ensure works are conducted under the conditions of the development approval.