Cromwell drivers will have a slightly longer journey at nights around SH6 and the SH8A intersection from next Tuesday (November 22) for up to two weeks, after truck drivers alerted Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to a problem with the roundabout’s gradient.

The problem means more work is required before the roundabout can be completed.

“Ahead of the full operation of the new roundabout, the gradient is being improved to ensure trucks, buses and other heavy vehicle drivers will have a safe journey around the roundabout,” NZTA said in a statement.

There will be detours in place while preparatory work is being done at night, from 7pm to 6am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (November 22-24) and when new asphalt is being laid on Tuesday November 29 to Thursday December 1.

The roundabout will be open and operational during the day, but will be closed for night work with detours in place, reopening at 6am each morning, NZTA said.

The night work detour

SH8B between the Wooing Tree roundabout and Sargood Road will open to traffic from Friday November 18.

The pedestrian and cycle underpass near the SH8B/Barry Avenue intersection is progressing well with earthworks and landscaping underway, NZTA said.

         Detour details for night work are:

• Drivers heading southbound on SH6 from Wānaka will be detoured via Shortcut Road, SH8B, Barry Ave and McNulty Rd. 

• Drivers heading northbound on SH6 will be detoured via McNulty Rd, Barry Ave, SH8B and Shortcut Road

• Drivers heading westbound on SH8B will be detoured via Shortcut Road for Wānaka, and via Barry Ave and McNulty Road for Queenstown.

The detour is approved for all vehicle types (including 50Max, HPMV, overweight and over dimension), NZTA said.