Pedestrians urged to be careful around construction work

Traffic management staff are warning the public to be careful around an old car park building being demolished on St Paul St in Auckland Central.

Sonny Tanuvasa, a subcontractor working on the site to control traffic, said people were ignoring safety signs.

“We are dealing with the public and every day I see people walking on the live lane [road]. We rely on the signs to do the job as we are unable to [warn] people verbally or physically. It is dangerous, there is a lot of heavy machinery being used and traffic,” said Mr Tanuvasa.

There are also noise control issues as the footpath access has been halved for pedestrians. The use of heavy machinery on site has resulted in a number of noise complaints.

An employee from a cafe next to the construction site said customers had complained about the noise.

“Some customers have complained about the noise, when they are sitting here. Cos they can’t sit here for long. But it hasn’t affected our business, just the customers,” said a staff member from Craven A café.

One customer was concerned for residents living next door to the site.

“I feel really sorry for the people here, it must be a nightmare,” said Antony Nobbs.

”Long term it will be great, although it will cause havoc for the residents and businesses.

“I wouldn’t like it to be next door to me.”

Artist's impression of new building on St Paul street 2018. Photo: Supplied by Suzanne Webb

Demolition is expected to continue for another three months before work starts on a replacement building which will provide accommodation for AUT’s new school of engineering, computing and mathematical sciences in semester 1, 2018.

The resource consent conditions provide for work to occur between 7am and 6pm daily and on Saturdays.

Suzanne Webb, AUT's director of strategic asset development, said the work is in a busy area.

“Obviously it is a difficult site, located on a busy university campus with numerous surrounding apartment buildings so careful management of noise, vibration and traffic movement is essential.”

Artist's impression of the new AUT engineering block nestled amongst the apartments as viewed from Symonds street 2018. Photo: Supplied by Suzanne Webb