The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) yesterday announced it awarded a $7.5 million contract for a new roundabout on State Highway 6 near Glenda Dr, a reconfiguration of the Glenda Dr intersection and associated roading to Fulton Hogan Ltd.
On completion it will improve access from State Highway 6 to the Glenda Dr industrial area at Frankton and connect the future Eastern Access Rd (EAR) to the State Highway and Remarkables Park.
NZTA acting southern business unit manager Ian Duncan said the contract was jointly funded by the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the agency, along with a ''significant contribution'' from Porter Group, developers of Shotover Park.
The council contributed $4.1 million to the cost of the roads within the development, which will contain Mitre 10 Mega, Pak'n Save and other businesses.
Two-way traffic would be maintained during construction and the project is due for completion in October.
NZTA senior projects manager Phil Dowsett said on completion, Glenda Dr would become a ''left-in only'' road.
The project would include the widening of the State Highway between Glenda Dr and the new roundabout on State Highway 6, and between that roundabout and another one slightly further west, linking to Grant Rd, to service Queenstown Gateway's Five Mile development.
The work also included part of the EAR to another roundabout, connecting it with ''Road Two'', leading to Mitre 10 Mega and Pak'n Save and, ultimately, the existing Glenda Dr.
It was intended the first roundabout, linking to the EAR, would be operational by winter.
The four-laning of State Highway 6 between that and Grant Rd would be completed later this year.
Porter Group chief executive Alastair Porter said it was ''wonderful news'' for Queenstown.
''It's been a case of working with the New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) and the Queenstown Lakes District Council for many years to finally achieve this.
''The whole community is aware of the number of accidents there have been at this intersection, let alone congestion problems.''
Mitre 10 Mega is under construction and expected to be open in Spring, while Pak'n Save hoped to begin construction mid-year.
Foodstuffs South Island property and retail development general manager Roger Davidson said construction details were still being worked through and a planned opening date would not be confirmed until building began.
