Housing development leads to detours

Some lane closures are scheduled to last until mid-April

Housing development leads to detours

The Marlborough District Council is informing the community of infrastructure works taking place on Murphys Road starting this week as part of its efforts to support expanded housing and development in the Springlands area of northwest Blenheim.

The project involves replacing the existing water main with a new one and adding a new sewer line underneath Murphys Road between Old Renwick and Middle Renwick. As such, some properties might experience water shut down for a week starting March 21.

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In addition, Marlborough Lines will be installing new underground cabling. The upgrade will entail better network security and load growth in the area. More provisions are in the works for an eventual undergrounding of the power lines along Murphys Road.

The new Summerset retirement village will be one of the first to benefit from these upgrades – and there is more to come for the rest of the region. Springlands can expect a surge of new housing developments in the next three decades, which the new infrastructure will service.

Mark Power, council project engineer, offered assurances that the road obstruction will be kept to a minimum as they consult with several businesses and schools to keep the local community running as usual.

“With infrastructure works of this scale, it’s important that all the contractors work closely together and carefully plan the work,” Power said. “We also want to let people know what is happening in advance and when you can expect to see traffic restrictions.”

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Planned road closures include Northbound lane from Middle Renwick Road to Ward Street on January 12 to February 02 and April 19 to May 09; Southbound Lane from Ward Street to Roseneath Lane on February 03 to March 11; and Southbound Lane from Roseneath Lane to Old Renwick Road on March 14 to April 14.

The above dates are subject to change as the project advances.