Frustrated Warragul motorists face a further month of Sutton St roadworks.
The $1.9 million works to reconstruct and widen two sections of Sutton St and construct footpaths were due to be completed in late April - a date now come and gone.
Consecutive long weekends, workers in COVID isolation, subgrade road pavement encountered and asbestos cement water mains have caused the delay, says Baw Baw Shire community infrastructure director Cohen Van der Velde.
"The western section of Sutton Street between Bowen St and Brandy Creek Rd is proposed for completion by late June 2022," Mr Van der Velde said when contacted by The Gazette. "The eastern
section of Sutton St between Normanby St and Davine St is proposed for completion by late May 2022. Both dates are dependent on weather conditions."
Asked for the reason behind the project delays which has closed a main thoroughfare since December, Mr Van der Velde said most had been overcome "with works progressing per schedule now".
"The two consecutive short working weeks due to Easter and Anzac Day slowed the progress of works, in addition to some workers forced into isolation due to COVID protocol.
"Unforeseen, unsuitable subgrade road pavement material was encountered during excavation. This was required to be replaced with more suitable grade material."
An existing asbestos cement water main under the road pavement had to be replaced and a redundant asbestos cement water main was located in the subgrade. Scheduling delays occurred whilst coordinating the replacement with Gippsland Water whilst the redundant main was not identified prior to design and had to be removed, he said.
Many runners, cyclists and walkers on Linear Trail have also been inconvenienced by the closure of a section between Bowen St and Sutton St.
"A small section of walking track located immediately north of Sutton St is temporarily closed to protect the safety of pedestrians," Mr Van der Velde said. "Users are encouraged to use the track detour along Bowen St."