Roading Issues Still a Key Focus

Dunedin (Friday, 5 June 2015) – Clearing slips and trees that may pose a risk to motorists remain a priority for Dunedin City Council staff and contractors today.

DCC Roading Maintenance Engineer Peter Standring says the focus has been on clearing main arterial and commuter roads.

“Portobello Road still has its challenges and delays should be expected. There is not through traffic access on Portobello Road, from Doon Street to Macandrew Bay so trees can be cleared at The Cove. There is an alternative route over Castlewood Road/Highcliff Road.

The intention is to re-open that section of Portobello Road in time homecoming commuter traffic today. Current information will be on our website.”

Highcliff Road, from Camp Road to Portobello, is closed due to slips and washouts and is expected to remain closed for some weeks. There is no alternative route.

Mr Standring says most of the dozens of slips around Dunedin are on the Otago Peninsula.

However, saturated soil has created instability which has led to some slips and washouts With mud and debris still a problem on some roads, motorists need to take care and advise the DCC of any safety concerns because of roading issues.

The following tracks have been closed – part of the Ross Creek track, the Bullock Track (from Prospect Park to Willowbank) and tracks at Frasers Gully and Meremere Reserve.

Other issues being addressed today.

Environmental Health staff are visiting food premises in South Dunedin to assess whether flooding has created any food storage contamination and give clean up advice to property owners.

Building Control staff will continue to visit properties affected by flooding to assess if there are any structural issues. Of the houses visited yesterday across the city, 98% are still habitable.

In this weather event, Dunedin had 20% more rain than in a one in a 100 year flood, with about 175mm of rain falling in 24 hours (4am on Wednesday 3 June to 4am on Thursday 4 June). The one in 100 year flood level is 120mm over 24 hours.

For general recovery and clean up information, visit www.dunedin.govt.nz. For the most up-to-date road conditions and closures visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/road-conditions. This includes any state highway closures that affect traffic around the wider DCC area.

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