Roundabout in the works

SouthRoads contractors have begun the realignment of Stalker Rd  before constructing a roundabout...
SouthRoads contractors have begun the realignment of Stalker Rd before constructing a roundabout on State Highway 6 at Ladies Mile, which will connect to Lower Shotover Rd. Photo by Tracey Roxburgh.
Construction is about to begin on a fifth roundabout on the stretch of State Highway 6 between Lake Hayes and Frankton.

The $2 million roundabout, which will connect a realigned Stalker Rd and Lower Shotover Rd on SH6 (Ladies Mile), is being paid for by the developers of the Shotover Country subdivision, Sharyn and Grant Stalker.

Clarke Fortune McDonald survey manager Chris Hansen said the roundabout was a requirement from the New Zealand Transport Agency and is part of the subdivision consent.

Under agreement, the roundabout was required once the development reached 450 residential units, to alleviate traffic congestion at the state highway intersection.

The 40m-diameter roundabout will have two through lanes and single lanes at Lower Shotover Rd and Stalker Rd.

Earthworks have begun on realigning Stalker Rd and it is hoped the roundabout will be finished by December 18.

Contractor SouthRoads does not yet have the final agreement to work on the State Highway with the authority, but that's ''probably not too far away''.

It will become the fifth roundabout either under construction or operational within a stretch of about 5km of the Ladies Mile, including a temporary roundabout at Glenda Dr.

NZTA transport planning manager Tony Sizemore said when the permanent Eastern Access Rd was built, the temporary Glenda Dr roundabout would become left turn in only.

''For safety reasons, traffic at high use intersections must be appropriately controlled.

''With the present and expected traffic volumes at these intersections, roundabouts are the most appropriate form of traffic control as traffic will flow reasonably freely, with delays only at peak times.''

At present commuters - particularly those going to Queenstown for work - were experiencing delays on the state highway, but that congestion was expected to ease when work was finished.

While the construction work resulted in a temporary lowering of the speed limit along the highway between Glenda Dr and Five Mile - to 50kmh and in one section 30kmh - Mr Sizemore said the agency had ''no current plan'' to change the permanent speed limit.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement