Wānaka Mt Iron roundabout work resumes with new detour

Work on building the new Mt Iron roundabout is starting up again, and from Monday, January 22 part of the Riverbank Road intersection will close for one month. 

The roundabout is at the intersection of Riverbank Road, SH6 (two legs of the roundabout) and SH84, the Wanaka-Luggate highway.

The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says all vehicles will be detoured via Ballantyne Road, and the route has been approved for all vehicle classes.

The transport agency estimates the detour is likely to be in place through to Friday, 23 February.

NZTA journey manager Nicole Felts says that Ballantyne Road "although lengthy" is the only practical detour available. 

"We acknowledge this may be disruptive for drivers and that the road also offers easy and convenient connections to Wānaka's wider road network, making it popular with locals," Ms Felt says.

The transport agency says sections of the new roundabout currently being used by traffic aren’t affected over the Riverbank Road closure period. 

The focus for the agency is now to build the last two legs of the roundabout, which is expected to be fully completed in April this year.

At the same time, the Queenstown Lakes District Council is expected to begin work on a separate roundabout project at the intersection of Riverbank Road and Ballantyne Road. 

NZTA says the council works are not expected to affect the transport agency's detour route significantly.