A fluted column with an ornate architectural capping appears to emerge, hewn from a giant wall of Oamaru stone blocks, in a reference to Oamaru's historic buildings.
Waitaki Tourism Association's Carol Scott said the signs had been nicknamed the "book- ends", "because we have a story to tell between the two".
On Tuesday, Dooley's Masonry started laying the main blocks and column sections, and by last night had completed the Corinthian capital (an ornate column headstone). There was now just pointing and finishing off to do.
The marker at the southern end of Oamaru on State Highway 1 was put up about 11 years ago, and the plan had been to build a second one at the northern end.
The northern "bookend" did not get approval and funding until last year when the Waitaki Tourism Association and Waitaki Development Board successfully pressured the Waitaki District Council to act.
Ms Scott was rapt the second "bookend" was being completed, especially at the start of the summer tourist season.
The construction is sited on council-owned land just north of the Oamaru racecourse.
