This week contractors removed the concrete blocks which had temporarily closed the northern end of Ryrie St.
Council district assets manager Jules Witt said contractors were in the process of digging a foundation for the kerbing and channelling. The trial closure of the northern end of Ryrie St has been in place since October 2011, after it was dubbed ''the most dangerous intersection in the district'' by the police, in a letter to the Clutha District Council.
Police said there were too many road rules for drivers to consider when negotiating the three-way intersection.
James St is a heavy traffic bypass, running parallel to Balclutha's main business area before rejoining State Highway 1 at the intersection with Ryrie and Clyde Sts.
Mr Witt said that in its former layout, the Ryrie-James-Clyde St (SH1) intersection was potentially the most dangerous in the Clutha district, a view reinforced by the police.
During the trial closure, comments received from Ryrie St residents and the public generally supported permanent closure, he said.
The council resolved last May to make the closure permanent and began consultation with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to gain its final approval.
Mr Witt said that process was completed and SouthRoads would soon begin replacing the temporary concrete barriers with a cul-de-sac design.
The work is expected to cost about $88,000, The NZTA will fund $85,000 of that. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
