Construction of a new walking and cycling bridge over State Highway 6 (SH6) in Queenstown, that will provide a safer crossing for school children, cyclists, pedestrians and tourists, is expected to start in the coming months, the Government has announced.
Transport Minister, Chris Bishop said the Government had heard the safety concerns of locals, parents, and visitors trying to cross the road, which carries around 27,000 vehicles a day.
“I’m pleased to confirm $12.6 million of funding has been approved to build a 50m-long pedestrian and cycling bridge over SH6 to address this issue,” Mr Bishop said.
“The new bridge will link from Jims Way and Ferry Hill Drive to Hardware Lane and will help provide connectivity into the extensive Queenstown trail and cycle routes networks between residential areas on the Lake Hayes side of the Shotover River, and schools, retail and workplaces in and around Frankton.
“This new bridge is a practical and sensible solution to help cyclists and pedestrians safely cross over the highway. It will also be a boost to Queenstown’s thriving tourism sector, with spending by cycle tourists reaching $280m in the year to June 2025.”
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has budgeted $12.6 million for the project and the contract to construct the bridge and its approaches has been awarded to the Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance (Kā Huanui a Tāhuna). The Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance (Kā Huanui a Tāhuna) is an alliance partnership between NZTA and Queenstown Lakes District Council, along with WSP, Beca, Downer and Fulton Hogan.
Planning for construction of the bridge and approaches is now underway. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2027, and NZTA will work with the Queenstown Trails Trust, which will develop cycle and walking trails connecting to the bridge.
“I want to thank everyone involved in getting this project to where it is today, including local Southland MP Joseph Mooney who has been a strong champion for getting necessary infrastructure like this underway. I look forward to this project being completed by the end of next year,” said Mr Bishop.
The new bridge will provide an 8m clearance over the highway. SH6 is the only route available for larger categories of over-dimension loads between Otago and Southland. The bridge span is 51.7m wide, path width 3m, and the deck sits above a 2.8m triangular/tubular steel truss.
