Tourism in Queenstown is returning to pre-Covid levels. Photo: Unsplash/ Michael Amadeus
Work has started on multi-million highway upgrades that is expected to cut congestion on a critical Queenstown road.
More than 40,000 vehicles pass through the State Highway 6 and 6A Frankton intersection at peak times each day.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown said $250 million upgrades to the highway would boost economic growth, reduce congestion and create safer and more reliable travel.
"With tourism returning to pre-Covid restriction levels, and continued growth in and around Queenstown, upgrades to this critical intersection will ensure local commuters and visitors can get to where they are going, quickly and safely," Brown said.
The upgrades include an expanded bus hub, signals near the entrance of the Events Centre, a new roundabout near Howards Drive, and an improved Frankton intersection.
The work is expected to take four years and is part of a partnership between NZTA, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Downer New Zealand, Fulton Hogan, WSP, and Beca.
"We need to keep Queenstown moving during construction and the project team will ensure the current corridor remains open to two-way traffic while these critical upgrade works are carried out," Brown said.
The government has signed off a $120m funding boost from the current Crown support.
