The new Cromwell roundabout on SH8B/SH6 being built by Fulton Hogan for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, will be open for traffic from Thursday evening, by 5 pm, 2 June.
A temporary seal has been laid with line markings in recent days to ensure the roundabout is safe to use over the winter, says Brendon French, Principal Project Manager for Waka Kotahi. The Barry Ave/ SH8 developer-funded roundabout opened earlier in May for traffic and people have quickly got comfortable using it.
A drone photo taken mid-May showing the state highway roundabout in the foreground, close to being ready for traffic, and the Barry Ave roundabout towards Lake Dunstan.
Contractor Fulton Hogan has been busy on the two roundabouts since February this year, with sunny, warm weather contributing to good progress, says Mr French.
The Waka Kotahi roundabout, estimated at around $5 million to design and build, is funded through the Government’s NZ Upgrade safety programme. The aim is to make this increasingly busy intersection safer for all Cromwell residents, visitors and daily commuters, says Mr French.
The team lays the permanent asphaltic concrete base for the roundabout ahead of the winter opening of the SH8B/SH6 Cromwell roundabout.
“We know local people will be happy to see the end of the local road detours around these two sites for a few months at least,” says Mr French.
“Even though we will put the detours in place again for spring when we work on the final top sealings, people will see the end in sight at that point.”
Work over winter includes building footpaths and getting ready for planting and landscaping. Construction of the developer funded cycling and pedestrian underpass near the Barry Ave/ Wooing Tree roundabout will begin in Spring.
An official opening is planned for before Christmas 2022.
