Cromwell residents and people wanting to get to Cromwell town centre via the Big Fruit intersection will face a short detour from next week (8 February) through to May.
Roundabouts are being constructed by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to improve safety at the SH6/SH8B intersection to Queenstown and Wanaka, and on SH8 at the Wooing Tree residential development, where the roundabout includes a pedestrian underpass.
There will be a lot of construction activity around the Big Fruit as well as the Wooing Tree Estate intersection where a second roundabout funded by the developer is also being constructed. People need to keep their eyes on the road, slow down and follow the temporary traffic management, says Graeme Hall, System Manager System Manager Lower South Island for Waka Kotahi.
Queenstown and Wanaka people going into Cromwell town, Alexandra/Dunedin or Christchurch
Follow the detour signs via Shortcut Road (see map)
Cromwell people going to Queenstown or Wanaka
Head along SH8B, past the Big Fruit as you would usually do (ie no change)
People on SH6 travelling in either direction but not into Cromwell
SH6 is open in both directions, no detour, no change.
The detour route:
Work at the Nevis Bluff and Gibbston Valley
People driving between Cromwell and Gibbston on SH 6 may also face short delays up to ten minutes at the Nevis Bluff. A large piece of schist high above the highway is being rock bolted in place for everyone’s safety, so drivers may be paused during the daytime.
Six km towards Queenstown, Gibbston Valley Station is also doing intersection work on SH6 as part of their development, with varying traffic management over the next few months. Outside of peak commuting times (7am-9am, and 4pm-6pm) the site will be 30km/h, at times under stop/go traffic control.
During peak hours or when unattended there may be a 50km/h speed restriction, depending on activity and site condition. People are encouraged to stick to the speed limit even if the site appears to be unattended.
Thanks
Waka Kotahi thanks all road users and Cromwell residents for their patience while the work in their town is underway.
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