Upper Clutha Safety Improvements Programme

Work on a new roundabout at the intersection of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road in Wānaka 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. The project also includes raised safety tables on all lanes leading into the roundabout and upgrades to stormwater management in the area.

What’s the latest?

Friday 20 September 2024

Work continues on the northern section of the new roundabout, with crews busy completing footpath works along Ballantyne Road, pouring kerbs, and getting the base prepared ready for layers of asphalt that will go on top in future.

Despite this progress, recent conditions have led to delays in construction. A combination of wet weather and cold temperatures meant contractors scheduled to prepare the site and lay asphalt were unable to, and they must now be booked in for a future date.

This means the closure to the northern section of Riverbank Road has been extended. More information is provided below.

Extension to current closure: Northern section of Riverbank Road

Work is underway on the northern half of the roundabout, with crews busy completing footpath works along Ballantyne Road, pouring kerbs, and getting the base prepared ready for layers of asphalt that will go on top in future.

Riverbank Road is currently closed to vehicles between Ballantyne Road and Mt Iron Roundabout/SH6. Resident access is available from Mt Iron Roundabout/SH6.

We planned to have this section of road open by Monday 23 September, but recent conditions have led to delays in construction. A combination of wet weather and cold temperatures meant contractors scheduled to prepare the site and lay asphalt were unable to, and they must now be booked in for a future date.

We’re expecting the northern section of Riverbank Road to remain closed until early October, but we’ll be able to confirm these dates soon.

The rest of the intersection at Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road remains open to one lane of traffic, and stop/go is operating in the area.

Temporary pedestrian access is available along Ballantyne Road and through the work site to connect with Wastebusters.

Future closure: Southern section of Riverbank Road (TBC)

At a date to be confirmed in October and once the northern section of Riverbank Road is open, crews will begin work on the southern section of the roundabout to finish the remaining entry points for the intersection.

During this time, Riverbank Road will be closed to vehicles between Ballantyne Road and Orchard Road. Resident access will be available from Orchard Road.

We’ll confirm dates for this closure as soon as possible.

The rest of the intersection at Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road will remain open to one lane of traffic, and stop/go will be operating in the area.

Night closure: End of October (TBC)

We’ll need to close the intersection of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road overnight at the end of October, but will confirm the exact date of this closure closer the time.

Completion date

We expect the new roundabout to be fully operational by late October 2024. This is later than initially planned, with delays to the project’s start date required to align timing and road closures with the nearby upgrade of the Mt Iron intersection, which subsequently resulted in a shutdown over winter.

Work to construct a new roundabout and pedestrian refuge crossing at the intersection of Capell Avenue and Domain Road in Hāwea is now complete.

We’d like to share a big thank you to everyone in the Hāwea community for your patience while we’ve worked to complete the new roundabout and pedestrian refuge island upgrade here.

Work to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Aubrey Road and Anderson Road was completed on Thursday 8 November 2023.

The new roundabout includes a slightly amended road layout, new raised courtesy crossings to provide safe spaces for people walking to cross, and a connection for the soon-to-be-completed shared pathway on Anderson Road.

Work is underway to install over 9,000 metres of new safety barriers on Wānaka-Mount Aspiring Road and Cardrona Valley Road, with additional signage, minor earthworks and roadside improvements, road markings, and a range of landscaping and native planting included in the project.

Find out more here.