18 traffic light sets in $250m road package for Queenstown

Thursday, 4 April 2024

Digging sods from left, Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa, Southland MP Joseph Mooney, Transport Minister Simeon Brown, and Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers, at the site of a $250m road upgrade project, at Frankton, Queenstown.

Queenstown’s newest road project has received a huge Government funding boost, but the Transport Minister is warning he will not tolerate another budget blow out.

Minister Simeon Brown was in Queenstown to turn the first sod on a four-year project that includes installation of 18 new sets of traffic lights, including at one of the South Island’s busiest intersections.

He announced a new Government budget of $250 million for the project, more than double the $113m originally set aside.

It follows news of a $40m budget blow out on an $128m arterial road to bypass central Queenstown, which started in 2021 and due to be completed later this year.

Both projects were being run by the the Kā Huanui a Tāhuna (Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance), which included representatives from the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Waka Kotahi NZTA, Beca, Downer, Fulton Hogan and engineers WSP.

Road improvement works planned for the intersection of SH6 and SH6A, in Queenstown.

Brown said the Frankton Rd project would deliver “significant benefits” in resolving a “pinch point”, unlocking opportunities for more housing and supporting tourism.

“We expect that this will be delivered on time and within budget. We are not tolerating budget blow outs,” he said.

The proposed new intersection of SH6 and SH6A at the current BP roundabout in Frankton, Queenstown.

Much of the work was focused on pedestrian and public transport improvements, he said

“But ultimately this intersection carries 44,000 vehicles a day, so the prize here is making sure we can move that vehicle traffic more efficiently.”

The “BP roundabout” intersection sat at the heart of the project and was one of the busiest intersections in the South Island.

The roundabout would be replaced by traffic lights, the nearby bus hub would be extended, new bus lanes would be built, and there would be more footpaths, underground infrastructure work and another roundabout at the intersection of SH6 and Howards Dr.

Luxon and Transport Minister Simeon Brown released the Government's plans for the sector.

The new sets of traffic lights would be installed at several intersections along Frankton Rd.

Brown said the work would boost economic growth, reduce congestion, and create a safer and more reliable transport network.

“With tourism returning to pre-Covid restriction levels, and continued growth in and around Queenstown, upgrades to this critical intersection will ensure local commuters and visitors can get to where they are going, quickly and safely.

“These upgrades will provide families and children who go to school in Queenstown with more travel choices by delivering an expanded bus hub, as well as allowing more room for ski bus operators in the winter,” he said.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers warned there would be significant disruption as the work progressed.

“I acknowledge there’s been ongoing local frustration about road works. We’ve all seen the memes and heard the commentary about road cones.

“I ask that we all just keep cool, plan ahead and keep an eye on the prize.

“These improvements will take time but they will make this little alpine village and this this district a hell of a lot better,” he said.

Ultimately, workers would be able to move about more freely and buses would get a “fairer crack at sticking to their schedules”, he said.

Construction manager Mark Townsley said there would be little disruption for the first 18 months of the project, which included removing trees, installing a new stormwater pipe and relocating utility services on golf course land.