About 380 grapevines will be sacrificed to give motorists improved visibility at a problem Cromwell intersection.
The redesign of the intersection of State Highways 6 and 8B has involved the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) buying about 2300sq m of land from Wooing Tree vineyard to allow the road to be widened and the left-turning lane shifted.
NZTA Central Otago area manager John Jarvis said the lane, which those travelling from Wanaka used to turn to Cromwell, would be further separated from the main flow of traffic, providing greater visibility for motorists.
He described the intersection of State Highway 8B and 6 as a standard T intersection, but added it was known to have a high crash rate.
In January, a car turning right from State Highway 8B towards Wanaka collided with a van travelling straight through the intersection on State Highway 6 from Wanaka to Queenstown, and two people died.
Eight weeks later, another tourist was injured in similar circumstances.
While it is unclear how many crashes have happened at that intersection, Cromwell Community Board chairman Neil Gillespie said he received regular reports of near misses.
"I think it's essential that that sort of improvements are made and I'm pleased NZTA have done this for the here and now but also for the future."
Mr Jarvis said the size of the land NZTA now owned could one day mean a roundabout was constructed at the intersection, but that would depend on funding.
"Some people would like to see a roundabout there in the future but it's too expensive and there are other issues, but we have got enough land there now to do that if it is ever funded."
Following the fatal crash earlier this year, the speed limit 300m either side of the intersection was lowered from 100kmh to 80kmh.
The current changes to the intersection, which would cost between $80,000 and $100,000, are expected to be completed before Christmas.
