Major road and stormwater upgrades are to begin on Seaforth Rd in Bowentown this September.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is aiming to improve drainage, strengthen the road network and reduce future maintenance costs.

The council said the work would cover the stretch of Seaforth Rd from the Plom Rd/Pio Rd roundabout through to the Seaforth Rd South Recreation Reserve and was expected to continue until June next year.

The council said the project formed part of its wider road renewal programme for urban-rural routes across the district, which provide key access for residents, farms, marae and holidaymakers.

Council director of water services Coral-Lee Ertel said combining the road renewal and stormwater improvements into a single project would deliver long-term benefits while reducing future disruption.

“We know stormwater management in the Bowentown/Pio Shores area is a concern for many in the community,” Ertel said.

“Doing both sets of work simultaneously means we can strengthen the road and minimise future disruption by putting in place the stormwater and drainage infrastructure now.”

She said the upgraded system would support future network improvements designed to better manage water during heavy rain.

“It means we won’t need to dig up the new road when further network upgrades are rolled out,” Ertel said.

The contract has been awarded to J Swap Contractors, with construction planned in stages. Work will pause over the peak summer holiday period before resuming after Waitangi Weekend.

Council senior project engineer for transportation works Jamie Minchington said the work will involve reshaping the western road berm to create a shallow swale, installing new stormwater collection points and pipes, constructing new kerb and channel sections, and adding new stormwater outlets.

Crews will also excavate and rebuild the road structure, reconstruct accessways and culverts, apply a new chipseal surface and complete road markings.

Minchington said trees between the slip lanes and the main road would be untouched.

“The slip roads will remain in the same arrangement as they are currently, and the centreline will remain in the same location.”

Traffic management would be in place throughout construction, and motorists can expect single-lane stop/go controls and delays on Seaforth Rd.

Residents may also experience construction noise, vibration and increased activity from work crews and heavy vehicles.

Vehicle access to properties will be maintained wherepossible using temporary ramps, although some driveways will need to be closed temporarily while they are rebuilt. Affected residents will be contacted before access is disrupted.

“We’re advising the community to please plan ahead and allow extra travel time while the works are ongoing,” Minchington said.

The council will host a community information session on July 25 from 2.30pm to 4pm at the Waihi Beach Bowentown Boating and Fishing Club on Pio Rd.

Council engineers and representatives from J Swap Contractors will explain the project, discuss traffic effects and answer questions from residents.