Major Roadworks Kick Off in Sandown and Lake
Big road upgrades have just started in Sandown and Lake, targeting key highway stretches. Island Roads planned the work for early in the year to dodge the busy holiday season. Nighttime shifts mean less hassle for drivers. The upgrades are being rolled out in phases to keep disruption down.
Night Shift Road Closures to Speed Up Work
Work on The Broadway and Lake Hill, from Ranelagh Road to Station Avenue, kicked off on Wednesday night (April 20) and will run for around ten nights. Next up is resurfacing the entire High Street and the last untouched part of Beachfield Road. That phase is due to start around May 3 and last about seven nights, covering the stretch from Avenue Road/High Street roundabout to Royal Street junction.
Residents Kept in the Loop
Local residents have all been sent letters detailing the work and what to expect. Information boards will be up at work sites before the project begins. Island Roads’ mobile visitor centre popped up at the Heights car park on April 15 to explain the first phase. It will be at St Johns Road on April 29 from noon to 3pm to talk about the High Street and Beachfield Road works and answer questions.
Safety First: Road Closures and Pedestrian Access
To keep everyone safe and keep the schedule, roads will be closed overnight from 6.30pm to 6am. Diversions will be in place. However, pedestrians will still be able to access homes and businesses throughout. No work will take place over the Bank Holiday, so roads stay fully open then. Weekend work is scheduled for April 23 and 24.
Keith Gourlay, Island Roads Construction Manager: “This work will bring about a significant improvement to some of the busiest roads in this area. Though we have taken steps to reduce disruption, some inconvenience is inevitable given the nature of the work and how busy the roads are. We hope the short-term hassle will be outweighed by the long-term benefits to the highways network.”
