The $187,900 project at the intersection of Derwent, Ouse, and Reed Sts, above Waitaki Girls’ High School, would allow for an easier traffic flow, and remove potential risks for both drivers and pedestrians.
The top of Ouse St would be realigned to allow for the roundabout and a large kerb would be added to the corner.
A stop sign would replace the give way signage.
Whitestone Contracting will start work next Tuesday on kerbing and filling in the road’s hollows first.
Waitaki District Council roading network engineer Josey Wallace said pedestrian crossings would be added in Reed St south, and in Ouse St west, and extra street lighting had already been added.
She expected work to be completed by the end of this month, , with the majority completed during the school holidays.
"Our main aim is just to slow everyone down, and make it safer," Miss Wallace said.
Waitaki District Council roading manager Mike Harrison said the intersection was very difficult to control, and a small number of accidents had occurred through the years.
"But there’s the potential for something quite serious, especially with the school there and the amount of pedestrians is quite high," Mr Harrison said.
The roundabout would be an "all people process" — both drivers and pedestrians would be able clearly see, and make the right choice.
It was the right solution as there was ample room for it, and it catered for the large mix of traffic using the roads.
"The amount of traffic going along Reed St now has gone up since the Reed St-Eden St roundabout has been put in, so making it a safe route through there is very, very important to us.
"It’s five legs coming in there and it becomes very very difficult for anything other than a roundabout."
The concept originated about four years ago, and received positive support from everyone in the area, he said.
