More downtown pain on the way
The opening of Queenstown's $128 million bypass has been pushed back to late January - and that won't be the end of the downtown roadworks.
Kā Huanui a Tāhuna (the roading alliance) has confirmed it now intends to start work on replacing 90 metres of stormwater pipes on busy lower Ballarat Street.
The upgraded pipe will be 900mm in diameter, which is close to double the size of the existing pipe.
Phase one runs from mid-October to late December, and involves replacing the power ducting underground in Athol St, before installing the new stormwater pipe on lower Ballarat St, and a precast headwall beside Horn Creek for additional support.
"We’re working through some minor tweaks before this work begins and continuing to communicate with affected parties," Kā Huanui a Tāhuna's engagement manager Anita Sanghera says. "We plan to share a wider update on these works late next week."
Then, from mid-February 2025 for about eight weeks, crews will work to connect the newly upsized stormwater pipe along lower Ballarat St, through the intersection of Stanley St, and connect to upper Ballarat St.
By then, the controversial arterial road bypass - which runs from Frankton Road along Melbourne St and Henry St to connect to Gorge Rd - should be open to traffic, taking the pressure off the at-present critical Stanley St / Ballarat St junction.
Meanwhile, with spring arriving and the underground works completed for the new arterial road, the asphalt can now be laid from one end to the other.
"Across Melbourne, Beetham, Henry, Malaghan and Ballarat Streets there’ll be a range of activity underway this month - from preparing sections of road and footpath for asphalt to installation of street light ducting and poles, street furniture, and landscaping.
"All these elements will come together at completion to make these streets safe, accessible, well-lit and attractive for residents and visitors alike."
Crews are also working on replacing the surface and pedestrian crossings on the connecting roads, Sydney St and Suburb Street.
The Arterial Road (stage 1) had been due to open before Christmas but the confirmed date is now 28 January, 2025.
"This factors in some wriggle room in case of challenges outside of our control, such as poor weather affecting our ability to complete final asphalting of the road, or supply delays," Sanghera says.
"While this date is a little later than expected, it does mean the road can open with the traffic signals tested and operating as intended, removing the need for traffic management or temporary signage. Opening sooner would require significant traffic management, potentially adding additional cost to the project."
Meanwhile, out on Ladies Mile, trees have been removed as the alliance looks to begin work on a roundabout connecting SH6 to Howards Drive - the turn off to Lake Hayes Estate.
Kā Huanui a Tāhuna is an alliance partnership between NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) along with four design and construction companies, Beca, WSP, Downer and Fulton Hogan.
