Power goes underground at BP roundabout

Work is ramping up on Queenstown's Frankton BP roundabout upgrade as contractors prepare to underground the power network.

Trenches will be dug in August in and around Gray Street, near at the State Highway 6 / 6A intersection, confirms NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Otago & Southland.

The $250 million overall project will replace the small roundabout with a massive traffic light intersection, with more space for buses, cyclists, pedestrians and a new bus interchange.

"We'll need to temporarily remove on-street parking at times but we’ll make sure you can get to the shops and use the driveway into Frankton Village," an Waka Kotahi spokesperson says, in an update on the upcoming works.

"Roadworkers will be guiding you through the construction area – travel safely through the worksites and follow signage and any instructions you receive."

Waka Kotahi is splitting work into two stages. This first stage, undergrounding the power network, will be least disruptive. The more disruptive parts of the work, such as trenching across the streets and night work, will be during Stage 2 from late-September 2024. 

"We’ll plan this work to minimise disruption as much as possible."

To compensate for the loss of on-street parking during construction, there's temporary 'P30 8am-6pm Monday – Friday' parking in place along the northern side of the Gray Street carpark. Workers are also building a new entrance to the Gray Street car park off McBride Street to help make this car park more accessible while roadworks continue.

"The improvements we're making to SH6 and SH6A will give people more choice in how they travel and will support an efficient and reliable transport network, relieving some pressure at this important connection for Queenstown," the spokesperson says.

Visit the website to sign up for our email newsletter and to find out more about the project and upcoming works: www.nzta.govt.nz/queenstown-package