Lake Esplanade revamp expected to start in spring

Work on a thorough upgrade of the busy Lake Esplanade in Queenstown is set to begin in October or November this year.

Lake Esplanade, which runs from Beach St to the Fernhill roundabout, has been identified in the Queenstown Lakes District Council's capital works roading programme for 2010-11 as being in need of rehabilitation.

On Tuesday the council's utilities committee approved the concept design for the project, which will lead to repair of the pavement, renewed water main, widened footpaths and improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

QLDC project manager Steve Hewland said consideration had been given to widening the road by up to a metre towards the lakefront park, but this had not been possible because the roots of projected trees in the park were too close to the road.

As there was some parking along the shoulder of the street, it had been decided not to build actual cycle paths.

Instead there would be median strips with room for motorists to pass cyclists, allowing traffic to flow while cars driving from the town centre waited to turn right.

A new traffic island with wheelchair-friendly pedestrian refuges would be created at the intersection of Brunswick St and Lake Esplanade, and the hedge on the lake side of the street across from the Brunswick St intersection would be removed.

The utility committee discussed plans for further bus shelters along the street.

Mr Hewland said a bus shelter could be placed across the street from the Rydges hotel.

Councillor Lex Perkins said it was not the best look to have a bus shelter blocking the great lake view.

"We should know for sure it is going to be used before we approve it," Cr Perkins said.

The total estimated cost of the project was $1.36 million, but $1.7 million had been approved as part of the Long Term Council Community Plan.

Mr Hewland explained the lower cost was a result of initial plans taking further parking facilities into account.

The council had planned a new building at Boundary St, reducing parking; but as those plans were now shelved, this would no longer affect the Lake Esplanade project, Mr Hewland said.