Work will soon begin on a major culvert upgrade in Maketū aimed at improving water flow and reducing flooding during heavy rain events.

The $550,000 project involves a second culvert being installed and the existing culvert extended beneath Maketū Rd at the Ōtumakoro Stream crossing.

A Western Bay of Plenty District Council statement said a 2.5m-wide shared pathway will also be built across the crossing to improve safety for people walking and cycling through the area.

Construction is scheduled to begin this month and be completed by the end of January.

While Maketū Rd will remain open throughout the works, it will be reduced to one lane with temporary traffic lights controlling traffic.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council director of transportation Calum McLean said the project would improve the resilience of the area’s stormwater network while helping to protect nearby properties from flooding.

“It’s great to see this project getting off the ground,” McLean said.

“We know summer is a busy time in Maketū and there will be some inconvenience, 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 work is being carried out over summer when water levels are lower and it’s outside the fish spawning season.

Maketū Road culvert upgrade map. Image / Western Bay of Plenty District Council

Environmental considerations have also been incorporated into the design.

Raised ridges inside the culverts will create areas of calmer water where fish can rest while travelling upstream, while fish-friendly floodgate valves will help aquatic life move through the stream.

Archaeological monitoring will be undertaken during construction, with tangata whenua kept informed and involved throughout the project.

The existing culvert near Spencer Avenue West has long been identified as a bottleneck in the stormwater network, restricting the amount of water able to pass through during significant rainfall events.

Council says the upgrade is expected to lower upstream water levels during storms, reduce flooding of nearby properties and decrease the frequency of road closures caused by overtopping on Maketū Rd.

The project is being jointly funded by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, which is contributing $350,000, and the Maketū Community Board, which is providing $200,000.

More information is available on the council’s project page.