Work began yesterday on preparations for one of Cromwell’s two new roundabouts, with Fulton Hogan being awarded a $3.3M tender for the first project, at the crash-prone intersection of SH6 and SH8B.

Between 2010 and 2019, there have been 23 crashes at this intersection with one crash resulting in two people dying.

As well as the construction cost there was also design, consenting and property purchase bringing the total cost closer to $5 million - $3 million less than earlier estimates.

Waka Kotahi(NZTA) announced the contract today and will fully fund the project through the NZ Upgrade Programme (Regional Package), says Principal Project Manager Brendon French.

 The single-lane roundabout will replace the current T-intersection.

“When completed in the second half of 2022, this project will help reduce the rising number of serious injury crashes at this busy intersection,” says Mr French.

The project is funded through the government’s $6.8 billion NZ Upgrade Programme.

 The NZ Upgrade Programme projects are designed to improve safety at crash-prone intersections. Given the increasing popularity of Cromwell, the Government-funded roundabout will be built to enable it to increase to two lanes in each direction in line with traffic projections, in coming years.

Construction preparation work, including relocating a watermain pipe, is getting underway this month, Mr French says, setting up the SH6/SH8B site ready for the New Year.

The second roundabout, being funded by the developers of the Wooing Tree subdivision, will be located at the entrance to Cromwell near The Gate Hotel. A pedestrian underpass, also funded by the developers will link the residential and new commercial areas to Cromwell township.

The Central Otago District Council will tomorrow consider a request from Wooing Tree Estate for a contribution toward this cost, in light of its benefits to the wider population.

Council staff have recommended CODC contribute to funding the underpass through a reduction of the remaining roading development contributions associated with the development, up to $630,000.