At its meeting last week the Wanaka Community Board has acknowledged there would be "painful" disruption from the closing a short section of Ardmore St to traffic for six months.
The closure begins on April 11 and ends in September. It involves the section of road between Pembroke Park and the lakefront.
Board members on Thursday, March 31, described it as a "short-term pain for long-term gain" and said the council must "crack on" with the next stage of beautifying Wanaka’s lakefront.
Cr Calum MacLeod sought reassurance an intrusion on to Pembroke Park would not be a stealthy attempt to build more car parks there.
Council officers said a small part of the park would be dug up for storm water infrastructure and reinstated at the end of the project.
Cr MacLeod also requested data on traffic use during the closure, to study if people changed their transport habits.
Deputy chairman Ed Taylor said it was an ideal chance to "crack into" the work before a large number of visitors returned.
"It will cause disruption and it is for a long period, six months, but I think it gives us a fantastic opportunity to do something we have talked about for quite a long time," he said.
Mr Taylor said he expected the closure would increase delays, so suggested painting two temporary roundabouts on Brownston St and temporarily removing some pedestrian islands, giving big vehicles more room.
If the roundabouts were successful, they could stay there, he suggested.
The board agreed with Taylor and recommended staff investigate and implement the roundabout proposal.
Resource management engineering manager Dave Wallace said closing both lanes of Ardmore St meant the contractors would find it easier to manage traffic and pedestrians and could do more for less cost in six months.
If one lane was left open, the project could take three months longer to finish.
Board member Chris Hadfield said those involved with the Sunday market were concerned visitors could be diverted from going to Pembroke Park, and the council should communicate that town was still open for business.
Board member Jude Battson suggested trucking companies could be invited to not bring big vehicles to town unless they absolutely had to.
Cr Quentin Smith said traffic data from a recently completed stage of the lakefront development reported more than 1000 cyclists and 2500 walkers every day in January.
"The key outcome is really good connectivity for shared paths. Break eggs to make omelettes. Crack on and get it done," Cr Smith said.
