Funding has been approved for the long-awaited roundabout at the entrance to the Ardmore St retail area of Wanaka, but there is still no clear indication of when construction might begin.
After deferring its decision several times, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) resolved at its advisory group meeting this week to provide the anticipated 53% share of the $685,000 construction costs for the roundabout at the busy intersection of Brownston and Ardmore Sts intersection, also known as "Caltex Corner". The Queenstown Lakes District Council will fund the balance.
QLDC transport manager Denis Mander said the funding announcement was "another part of the jigsaw" in advancing the project. However, he was not prepared to give a time frame for construction.
"We're pushing it as fast as we can. It was just so important to get this funding decision," he said.
"It creates the impetus for resolving the last of the issues and getting agreements on access and so on to the properties that adjoin the roundabout. It makes the project a little bit more real for people rather than something in the never-never."
The council wanted construction of the roundabout completed by last Christmas, but controversy has dogged the project since it was approved by the Wanaka Community Board last August.
Progress has been hampered by ongoing disagreements from several neighbouring landowners, who have argued that access to their properties would be affected.
The roundabout project still has some hurdles to overcome. It requires the purchase of a small parcel of land in front of Inland Autos. The land acquisition, which would be paid for by the council and partly funded by NZTA, is yet to be signed off by the owner, Mr Mander said.
"We would never actually acquire that sliver of land... without having that funding approval first."
Access negotiations with the owners of the McKenzie and Willis building were ongoing, but progressing well.
"They're very positive towards it. It's just one more thing to tick off."
