Temporary plan for Queenstown plus gorge road work

 A temporary traffic plan to cater for the $2.5 million Camp Street upgrade will be introduced this week, Queenstown Lakes District Council engineering general manager Mark Kunath said.

“At present it is still possible to turn left into Camp Street off Ballarat Street, however the one lane access is causing problems for campervans and buses that then attempt to turn around at the Church Street roundabout,” Mr Kunath said.

A temporary re-route would stop all traffic from turning left into Camp Street from Ballarat.

“Instead we will create a flow along Stanley Street to Shotover Street, keeping Camp Street one way from Shotover Street to access Camp Street, Beach Street and Cow Lane,” Mr Kunath said.

Vehicles would be encouraged to travel along Stanley to Shotover Street then either along Camp or Rees Streets to access Earl and Church Streets and Searle Lane.

Meanwhile preliminary works would begin this week on preparing for the proposed Gorge Road upgrade.

“Although we are still finalising details of the Gorge Road upgrade, it is planned to include reconstruction of the road and the construction of an improved 2.2 metre width walking a cycle track, which will eventually go through to the Edith Cavell Bridge,” Mr Kunath said.

State one would see work carried out from the wetland for a distance of 1.6 kilometres.

The improved walking track would link with the now completed wetland track, which starts in the Gorge Road retail area.

“There will be some minor delays on the road this week as we commence the preliminary clearing of shrub and wilding trees from the road reserve in preparation for the reconstruction,” Mr Kunath said. The clearing work would make way for the upgrade but also help eliminate shading and ice during winter.

The proposed Gorge Road project would result in an improved and widened carriageway and vastly enhanced safety for vehicles and track users.