A council spokesman confirmed that two electronic billboards positioned in Andersons Bay Rd were part of a temporary traffic management plan it had approved for the opening of the Dunedin store between Macandrew Rd and McBride St.
A Kmart spokeswoman said they were expecting "a lot of excitement" for the opening and encouraged customers to plan ahead of their visits, particularly over the opening weekend.
A combination of static controls at intersections and traffic management staff at the store would help ensure safety and assist any customers moving through the precinct.
Intersection signage would also be in place for the next few weeks advising community members of the changing traffic conditions, as they adjust to having a Kmart back on their doorstep, the spokeswoman said.
Kmart did not respond to the ODT’s request for the traffic management plan.
The Australian retail giant said in an earlier statement yesterday the almost 5000sq m new Dunedin store would be one of the largest in its fleet. It would be Kmart’s 27th store in New Zealand and would employ more than 170 people.
Kmart Dunedin store manager Forrest Worthen said the store had been more than four years in the making and the excitement about it reopening in the city had been "undeniable".
He was looking forward to welcoming the community back through Kmart’s doors, he said.
