Major roundabout to close overnights
Frankton's busy BP roundabout will close three nights next week between 10pm and 6am.
The closure of the SH6/SH6A intersection in Queenstown, often called the BP roundabout due to the nearby petrol station, will close for utility investigations for the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is planning major upgrades to the junction, which is used by 25,000 vehicles a day, and the investigations will help inform the design.
Local streets will be used as the overnight detour, suitable for all vehicles, while this preliminary work is underway.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, 21-23 March, (the week after next) a full road closure will be in place overnight between 10pm and 6am. (See map above for below details).
Crews will excavate a number of narrow trenches to confirm the location of utilities and underground services. This is key to improving the accuracy of the designs prior to work starting and will reduce the likelihood of delays during construction.
Detour signs will direct traffic around Queenstown Airport in both directions, with the detour expected to take drivers about six minutes. Residents have been asked not to park on McBride St or Gray St to allow detoured traffic to travel through the area easily.
Waka Kotahi's Director Regional Relationships James Caygill acknowledged night works are disruptive, particularly for residents in the area, but stressed it is unavoidable in some instances.
“Due to the high traffic volumes through Frankton - up to 25,000 vehicles per day - and restrictions on the state highway it’s not possible to close the road during the day, so these essential works need to be completed at night,” he says.
“We considered a partial or stop-go closure but it was ruled out as traffic modelling showed vehicles would move more efficiently via the proposed detour.
“A full closure for three nights means works can be completed more quickly – rather than multiple partial closures over an extended period.”
To add to efficiencies, other works are being incorporated including installing new cabling, trenching and sealing around the SH6/6A intersection, he adds.
'Hydrovaccing' in Lucas Place during previous investigations
Residents and businesses have been advised that noisy work will be completed where possible in one go at the start of the nightshift to limit noise later in the evening/early morning.
Access for Emergency Services and residents will also remain - they will be escorted through the site by crews.
To find out more about the NZ Upgrade Programme improvements visit the Waka Kotahi project website.
