Mackenzie road upgrades completed

Senior Ngāi Tahu artist Ross Hemera had his 14m-tall pou artwork unveiled at Dog Kennel Corner...
Senior Ngāi Tahu artist Ross Hemera had his 14m-tall pou artwork unveiled at Dog Kennel Corner last week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Work to improve the visitor driving experience in the Mackenzie Basin through new highway pull-over areas and upgrades is now complete.

Nine South Canterbury locations along State Highways 8, 79 and 80 have been improved in work that included increased capacity and upgrading of existing rest areas, new rest areas at popular scenic locations, better signage, directional arrows, safety information, intersection improvements, road widening and additional passing opportunities.

A new scenic rest area has been built at Dog Kennel Corner on SH8 in Tekapo and another at Lake Pukaki.

Several pull-over areas to help drivers pass safely have been built on SH8 from Timaru to Burkes Pass and Lake Tekapo and the hydro lakes and one has been added on SH80 at the Mt Cook/Aoraki highway alongside Lake Pukaki.

New Zealand Transport Agency’s central and lower South Island regional manager of infrastructure delivery Sean Walsh said the beautiful landscape of the Mackenzie Basin meant people were naturally inclined to stop to appreciate it.

"The new pull-over areas and other improvements will mean people can do so safely.

"The project will also benefit the regional economy by helping to accommodate the increasing number of visitors on these popular inland state highways and [improving] their driving experience."

As part of the project, cultural artwork designed by senior Ngāi Tahu artist Ross Hemera was installed at Dog Kennel Corner to further enhance the area.