Work will soon begin on a major culvert upgrade at Maketū to help improve waterflow and reduce flooding during heavy rain.
The $550,000 project will see a second culvert installed and the existing culvert extended under Maketū Road, at the Ōtumakoro Stream crossing. A new 2.5 metre-wide shared pathway will also be built over the crossing to improve safety for people walking and cycling through the area.
The work is scheduled to start early November and be completed by the end of January 2027. Maketū Road will remain open during the work, but will be reduced to one lane, with temporary traffic lights in place.
It is being done over the summer, when water levels are lower, and to avoid the fish spawning season. Acquatic life has also been considered in the design. Raised ridges inside the culverts will create pockets of calmer water where fish can rest on their journey upstream, while fish-friendly floodgate valves will help them move through the stream.
Archaeological monitoring will be undertaken during construction, with tangata whenua kept informed and involved throughout the project.
“It’s great to see this project getting off the ground,” says Calum Mclean, Western Bay of Plenty District Council Director Transportation.
“We know summer is a busy time in Maketū and there will be some inconvenince, but it’s the best time to do the work safely, while minimising impacts on the stream, fish and other wildlife.
“We appreciate people’s patience while we carry out this important upgrade, which will help reduce flooding and improve the resilience of the area’s stormwater network.”
The existing culvert, near Spencer Avenue West, has long been identified as a constriction point in the stormwater network, limiting how much water can pass through during significant rainfall events.
The upgrade is expected to reduce water levels upstream during storm events, decrease the frequency of flooding affecting nearby properties, and reduce how often the road closes due to overtopping at Maketū Road.
It is being jointly funded by Western Bay of Plenty District Council ($350,000) and the Maketū Community Board ($200,000).
Find out more about the project at yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/maketu-road-culvert-upgrade
