The pipeline route runs adjacent to the Otago Central Rail Trail and the construction team is keen to minimise disruption for rail trail users.
“Most of the time construction work is well away from the actual rail trail itself so users won’t be affected. A thorough plan to manage construction around the rail trail has been developed in liaison with the Department of Conservation,” says Patrick Keenan, CODC Capital Projects Programme Manager.
To maximise the safety of rail trail users, a waratah fence is being installed along the pipelines’ path to separate rail trail users from the construction zone. There are a few places where the pipeline needs to cross under the rail trail surface. “In occasional places where construction impacts on the rail trail surface, usually where we need to send the pipelines’ path in a different direction, safe, short-term detours will be available to rail trail users,” says Patrick. In the next couple of weeks, a detour marked by signage will be in place in the Young Lane and Coates Road area. CODC has agreed with DOC to complete any work adjacent to the rail trail by the end of October 2019 and to maintain a minimum 1.5 metre corridor for rail trail users during construction wherever possible. If rail trail users have any concerns, then they are asked to please let DOC or CODC know. “Rail trail users will have use of the continuous rail trail track, albeit occasionally with the help of a detour, while the pipelines are being constructed.”
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