Wānaka roundabout completed
Waka Kotahi has completed work on the $7 million five-legged Mt Iron roundabout.
The Crown-funded roundabout is on the busy SH84/SH6 at the western entrance to Wānaka. Contractors for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) began on-site work on the project back in February.
"It is great to see the landscaping completed in time for the winter ski season and future-proofing built into this project with the fifth leg leading to the new commercial development at Mt Iron Junction," James Caygill, Director Regional Relationships NZTA, says.
"The roundabout is designed to meet the current and future transport needs of Wānaka people, visitors and businesses. With Queenstown Lakes District growing faster than most other New Zealand district council areas, we need to get ahead of developments wherever we can."
The Mt Iron roundabout features median islands on the approaching legs to encourage safer vehicle speeds, dedicated crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists, and street-lighting. Landscaping work has seen the asphalting of pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, plantings, and rock features inside the roundabout’s 40-metre diameter centre circle.
It will also provide access to the controversial planned McDonald's.
The nearby Riverbank Road/Ballantyne Road roundabout being built by Queenstown Lakes District Council is likely to be completed late October, ahead of the summer season. It will be open for the winter period between spring/summer construction seasons.
