The wait is over. This afternoon both lanes of the long-awaited Kawarau Falls Bridge will finally open to traffic.
Work first began on the $22million, 250m-long bridge in January 2016.
The first lane opened in January this year, timed to coincide with the closure of the historic one-way bridge which is being converted into a walking and cycling link as part of the Queenstown Trail network.
NZ Transport Agency regional relationships director Jim Harland said motorists would notice a marked reduction in congestion, particularly during peak travel times, as soon as both lanes opened.
It would also provide safer and better access to the Frankton Flats, Queenstown Airport and town centre as well as developments south of Queenstown and destinations further afield, such as Invercargill and Milford Sound.
The bridge, built to withstand a one-in-2500 year earthquake, was a major part of wider transport improvement plans for the Wakatipu, which involved NZTA, the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Otago Regional Council and Queenstown Airport Corporation, Mr Harland said.
All parties aimed to create a much-needed, well-integrated and responsive transport system to manage issues facing the area, which had been created by strong visitor and residential growth and resulted in a surge in development and economic activity.
''A fully completed two-lane Kawarau Falls Bridge is an important step towards that goal,'' Mr Harland said.
The entire project, including landscaping and the conversion of the historic bridge, was expected to be completed by spring.
Both lanes of the bridge will open about 2.30pm.
