Good progress on Taumarunui revitalisation road works.

Phase one road works along the northern side of Hakiaha St as part the Taumarunui revitalisation project are making good progress with contractors having completed installation of the temporary bus bay and shelters outside the Railway Station.

The moving of the bus bay and shelters is a short-term step to allow for development of new entrances and access to the new tourism hub and work to integrate the Railway Station building to surrounding landscape and gardens.

Project Manager Alastair Wells said that the next stage will see the realignment of the kerb and channel and parking to the front and surrounds of the Railway Station along with creating new angle parking to replace those lost to the west of the Station to allow for landscaping works.

“Community feedback has been really positive with people excited to finally see work commence and changes on the ground,” said Mr Wells.

“Although the redevelopment of Railway Station itself including the community museum has been planned as phase four of the Hakiaha St revitalisation these road works need to happen first.

Through this year’s Long Term Plan (LTP) the community supported Council to fund a large part of the Railway Station’s redevelopment however we are still needing outside funding for the museum project which is why work on this stage isn’t scheduled for next year at the earliest.

The phase one road works are scheduled to take three months with completion in late November.

The first phase of the landscaping revitalization work from the Railway Station to the fish pond is also planned to be completed concurrent with the street works and will be completed before Christmas.”

Clive Manley

Chief Executive

Ruapehu District Council

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