The long-awaited roundabout at the intersection of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road was completed today (Friday November 29) and will open at 6pm.

Work began on the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) roundabout in January, and was scheduled to be completed by late October.

It was completed later than initially planned, QLDC said, because of delays to the project’s start date (to align timing and road closures with the nearby upgrade of the Mt Iron intersection), the shutdown over winter, and extended wet weather in September.

The lengthy work programme has caused frustration for some residents and businesses. The northern end of Riverbank Road was closed (except to residents) for around six weeks, and the southern end was closed for even longer. 

Wastebusters, which is located just beyond the roundabout on Ballantyne Road, put up detour signs around town earlier in the year as people were finding it difficult to make their way there due to the associated road works and closures.

Since August, work crews have constructed new entry points for the roundabout and installed lighting, following stormwater upgrades and preparatory work that was completed earlier in the year. The final coats of asphalt were applied this past week.

The project also includes raised safety tables on all lanes leading into the roundabout and upgrades to stormwater management in the area.

The new roundabout will open to traffic in all directions this evening.

QLDC says it will provide a safer environment for all road users in the area and enhance connectivity for active travel along a section of Ballantyne Road through to Wastebusters, adding that the “temporary disruption” was “well worth the significant upgrade we’re making at this intersection”.

The project was part of an upgrade of intersections and roads around Wānaka and the Upper Clutha through a programme of works with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to improve safety for road users in the area.

These road safety improvements are partially funded by NZTA as part of New Zealand’s national road safety strategy.

PHOTO: Wānaka App