The construction of the new Kawarau Falls Bridge at Frankton is under way.
Minister of Transport Simon Bridges turned the first sod and planted a kowhai tree at the new bridge site this morning, celebrating the start of the $22 million project.
It is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017.
The new bridge is being built by McConnell Dowell Constructors.
NZTA Southern Regional Director Jim Harland said the bridge was one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the Queenstown area and had with wider benefit regionally.
"There has been strong growth in Frankton Flats, around Queenstown International Airport, in recent years. This is forecast to continue for the next 15 years or more and this new bridge will help smooth that growth and the growing traffic volumes.
"This bridge will benefit the wider Wakatipu Basin as well as making the State Highway 6 network connecting the West Coast, Otago and Southland far more resilient," said Mr Harland.
"It is being built to withstand a one in 2,500 year earthquake."
The 90-year-old, one-lane bridge will also become part of the Queenstown Trail cycling and walking network.
A lack of traffic capacity on the existing single lane bridge, much of it stemming from traffic growth relating to commercial development on the Frankton Flats, lead to delays at the bridge especially during the peak winter ski and summer holiday periods. These hold-ups cause frustration for visitors, locals and freight operators.
