Work on upgrading the intersection of State Highway 6 and Tucker Beach Rd intersection was expected to be wrapped up by Christmas, but now the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) says it will not be operational until at least mid-February.
The news came as NZTA announced it had awarded the $6.4million construction contract to Downer NZ Ltd.
The work includes a safety underpass below the Shotover Bridge for Tucker Beach Rd users, who now need to turn right across two busy lanes of highway traffic to get to Frankton and Queenstown.
The project was given the green light earlier this year, after a long campaign by locals and the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
There was concern about the number of near-misses at the intersection, as well as risky driver behaviour.
NZTA regional relationships director Jim Harland said the preliminary construction programme indicated the slip road could be available by mid-February, but that was ``subject to the numerous existing services (for example, water and wastewater pipes) that require diversion not presenting any major difficulties''.
``The later-than-planned awarding of the construction contract means that realistically there isn't enough time to have the slip road finished to an acceptable standard by the end of the year.
``Both the transport agency and our contractor are committed to deliver a good-quality job, and we aren't prepared to compromise on that.''
Residents' spokesman Kerry Dunlop said while residents would have liked the slip lane to be in place by Christmas, they appreciated the ``certainty that the transport agency has given the community to have the slip road opened early next year''.
Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult said it was good the ``essential project'' was under way.
``I had hoped for a completion date ahead of the busy summer period but agree that this project needs to be completed to meet current and emerging infrastructure needs.
``It's a short delay for a longer-term benefit for this major route into Queenstown and Frankton.''
Road users can expect some disruptions during construction which will run until April-May next year. Landscaping, guardrail installation and pipe work will continue after the slip road opens in the new year.
Mr Harland said every effort would be made to minimise delays and find options for ensuring the best possible traffic flows through the construction site.
``Particular attention will be paid to the highway over the Christmas-New Year holiday break to ensure smooth surfaces and no constraints on traffic.''
The Otago Daily Times last week revealed the intersection was the 10th most dangerous in the Queenstown Lakes district, according to reports released under the Official Information Act.
