NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) began a four-week resealing project on State Highway 1 in Milton yesterday, which will alternately close the southbound and northbound lanes, and lead to detours through the town’s residential areas.
The first section from Elizabeth St to Abercrombie St was closed to southbound vehicles yesterday, affecting about 10 businesses along the highway.
St John’s Court Motel directors Eion and Bev Philip said the timing of the project was "crazy", and the 10 days during which traffic would not pass their business would have a dramatic impact on revenues.
"We have a lot of trucks that use us, as we have a parking area next door where they can turn. For the next couple of weeks — if that’s how long it takes — we’re losing that passing traffic and no doubt they’ll look elsewhere. It’s always slow over Christmas here as everyone heads to Central [Otago], and this is our peak time as everyone gets back to work.
"Where do we get compensation from? We don’t."
On the Spot Midway Dairy owner Joyce Sun said she had noticed a sharp drop in trade by late morning yesterday.
"Like other businesses in Milton, we rely on people being able to stop outside. Because of the one-way system, people just aren’t stopping, so it’s been very quiet this morning. We could lose a lot of business because of this."
She said contractors seemed unable to say how long the work would take.
"They just say, ‘It’ll be as long as it takes.’ I just hope it doesn’t take forever."
Drivers on the stretch of road also seemed puzzled by the timing of the work.
James Clarke, of Dunedin, said he regularly travelled to Cromwell via Milton, and would stop at the Caltex petrol station en route.
Highway access to the garage is temporarily blocked by the works, although customers still have access via Abercrombie St.
"I feel for the local businesses, with a recession on.
"A lot of businesses rely on people making a quick decision to stop or not. If you’re not even passing the business, you’re not going to stop.
"There must be a more efficient way of doing this like they do elsewhere in the world."
NZTA Otago journey manager Nicole Felts said contractors expected to complete the work by early February, weather permitting.
"Traffic management will be in place for around four weeks. All going well, the fresh road surface could be completed by early February.
"Crews will be working shifts around the clock on this project, 24/7, given the importance of Union St to Milton. Detours will be clearly marked, with temporary traffic signals used some nights towards the last half of the project."
She acknowledged the impact on businesses, and encouraged people to make an extra effort to support them during works.
