Ballantyne Road safety improvements to start

Improving safety is at the heart of the Ballantyne Road upgrade project, set to start in Wānaka today.

Queenstown Lakes District Council General Manager Property and Infrastructure Peter Hansby is thrilled to break ground on the $6.4m upgrade which is in response to community concerns raised over a number of years. 

“The community has lobbied for this road to be improved for a long time.  The work will address a number of safety issues such as inconsistent surfacing, limited driver sight lines, a lack of road markings and narrow roadways.  Getting started on this important upgrade is a big milestone and a fantastic outcome for the Wānaka community,” he said. 

The upgrade project will feature a number of improvements, including:

• The sealing of 4km of unsealed road and clear zone on both sides, significantly reducing the risk of crashes in the area. 

• A low speed environment by design.

• One metre wide sealed shoulders to allow safer opportunities for walking and cycling.

• Improved drainage.

• The relocation of 40 power poles in conjunction with Aurora.

Mr Hansby said a number of trees would be removed from the road reserve to accommodate the improvements.

“In lieu of removing trees along Ballantyne Road, we’ll be working with Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust and the local community to support the planting of the wetland area adjacent to Atherton Place along the track between Bremner Bay and Penrith Beach,” he said.

For the project to be completed safely, Ballantyne Road will be closed to through traffic starting on Thursday 3 December for approximately six months. 

Mr Hansby said some disruption is an inevitable part of delivering a major infrastructure upgrade and that contractors would be working to minimise this wherever possible. 

“Our contractors will ensure access is maintained for residents living along Ballantyne Road (including those on Boundary and Morris Roads) and essential services over this period. For all others a detour will be in place via Riverbank Road and SH6,” Mr Hansby said.

“We’ll also be working with Chorus, Spark and Vodafone to facilitate planned future network upgrades between Wānaka and Luggate and avoid works on the upgraded road at a later date,” he said.

“We know this work may be inconvenient for some and we’re grateful for the community’s patience while this important safety upgrade is completed,” he said.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Fulton Hogan has been appointed to complete the project which is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete.  

The project is jointly funded by Queenstown Lakes District Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency with each organising contributing 50%. 

Further details about the project can be found at www.qldc.govt.nz/ballantyne-road-upgrade

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.