NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s Fulton Hogan team will resume construction of the new Mt Iron roundabout at the entrance to Wānaka next week, and the following Monday (January 22) the intersection with Riverbank Road will close for a month.

The focus will be on building the last two legs of the roundabout ahead of the full roundabout completion in April.

Also on Monday January 22, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is expected to begin work on a separate roundabout project at the intersection of Riverbank Road and Ballantyne Road to make efficient use of the road closure on Riverbank Road. 

Mt Iron roundabout progress

The Mt Iron roundabout is at the intersection of Riverbank Road, SH6 (two legs of the roundabout) and SH84, the Wānaka-Luggate highway.

Access to Riverbank Road from the roundabout will be closed from Monday January 22 as the Riverbank Road leg construction gets underway. All vehicles will be detoured via Ballantyne Road, which is approved for all vehicle classes.

The site of the new roundabout at Mt Iron (red cone) and the detour route, Ballantyne Road to the south.

Sections of the new roundabout currently being used by traffic will not be affected over the Riverbank Road closure period. 

This detour is likely to be in place for a month through to Friday February 23.

NZTA journey manager Nicole Felts said, although lengthy, Ballantyne Road is the only practical detour available.

“We acknowledge this may be disruptive for drivers and that the road also offers easy and convenient connections to Wānaka’s wider road network, making it popular with locals.”

The closure and detour will be in place over Waitangi Day (Tuesday February 6), however the roundabout will still be operational so access to Wānaka and the West Coast will not be affected.

Nicole encouraged people to allow extra travel time.

Ballantyne/Riverbank Roads roundabout

From Monday January 22 crews will be starting work on construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says.

In addition to the roundabout, the project includes new pavement, service connections, active travel connectivity on Ballantyne Road through to Wastebusters, and raised pedestrian safety tables.

Following the closure, traffic management will be required at the intersection of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road to enable crews to complete works in the area. At times, this may include lane closures, access to Riverbank Road being restricted to residents only, and detours in the area.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the worksite at all times.

QLDC expects the new roundabout at the intersection of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road to be completed by June 2024.

The contract for this project was awarded to Downer.

PHOTOS: Supplied