Road Renewal Proposed
On Tuesday Minister of Infrastructure and Planning Hon Teariki Heather visited the Avarua town centre to address the serious issue of the safety of the main road.
The particular area in question is the right hand side of the main road travelling along the beach side parallel to ANZ bank where pools of water collect causing a serious road hazard especially after heavy and frequent rain. The recent weather for Rarotonga has seen a steady stream of heavy rains and the weekend’s downpour saw the Avarua bend pooled with water spanning half the width of the road,
Donnie Numa, Acting Secretary of MOIP, discussed the concerns of adequate drainage and expressing excess water on our roads as a major focal point. Minister Heather and his officials took to the road to analyze its current state, the amount of use and the type of vehicle usage the particular stretch of road endures.
Minister Heather suggested that the lean of heavy load trucks frequently travelling round the bend has caused a reshaping in the edge of the road resulting in a slight raised ridge along its barrier. Previous amendments to this particular stretch of road have been made in prior years but these mainly included the re-patching of asphalt.
A major plan for the reparation of that specific area, which has never been done before, is required. The Minister suggests this as the most ideal remedy.
The plan would include tearing up the current stretch of road, restructuring and laying in new drainage and sufficient foundations to reduce the existing excess water problems. Due to the sheer size of the proposed project and the directional flow of the traffic, Numa says that road closures with possible detours should be anticipated. -Maria Tanner

Herald Issue 608 21 March
- Terms of one China Policy document should be reviewed
- Pacific Media Assistance Scheme Seeks Innovation
- Successful NZ visit by PM
- Rerekura Teaurere New Climate Change Coordinator
- News Briefs