Wodonga Council fearful of impact of more rain on High Street upgrade

Wodonga Council still can't pinpoint a date when the road will be re-open to traffic, but further delays are expected with up to 25mm of rain forecast on Wednesday.

After a dream run weather-wise at the start of the project in January, contractors have been frustrated by the loss of up to seven days to date with the prospect of more to come.

Crews were on the job during the Queen's Birthday weekend trying to make up for some lost time.

Their focus was the centre-median strip, but 15mm of rain to 5pm on Monday slowed progress.

Zumii Shoes owner Brad Lodding hoped at least one side of the road could be open following the completion of the centre median works.

"It has affected everyone, the business owners are past anger," he said.

"They are just tired and over it.

"They just want the street open again even if it is only one lane to get some traffic flow going.

"People are avoiding the area like the plague.

"We are all being by-passed."

In its latest project update on social media, Wodonga Council's infrastructure and projects manager Theo Panagopoulos admitted wet weather was hindering progress.

"We are getting close to the end now," he said.

"Works are progressing down the centre median, which is our focus at the moment because that is the most critical part of the works to get this road open as soon as we possibly can.

"We're really hopeful this will be finished in the very, very near future.

"We have lost some time in recent weeks due to rain.

"Any time lost at this period in the construction is a day we really can't get back.

"The contractors are working as hard as they can and in order to catch up some time, you will see contractors here over the long weekend.

"There is forecast for rain again next week so we're hoping that doesn't have an impact on progress for us."

The council had hoped to have the road open to traffic this week, but the best possible scenario is late June.

High Street traders are reporting a drop-off in business of between 30 to 60 per cent since the roadworks commenced with some being forced to lay-off staff.