An 11-year-old Wanaka girl was seriously injured last month when she was hit by a car as she walked along a gravel verge to catch a morning bus to primary school.
Now contractor The Roading Company is giving its machinery and labour hours to help build a walkway alongside Old Racecourse Rd, near Albert Town, in a bid to improve pedestrian safety in the area.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has hailed the "generous" offer by the Wanaka contractor.
The Roading Company director Mark Cruden, who lives in the area, said the girl's accident highlighted the need for a walkway on the road.
There were about 40 children living along Old Racecourse Rd and the girl's accident had been a wake-up call for families.
"When we learned of the accident, we had a look at the road ... Something needed to be done," Mr Cruden said.
The need for a walkway for the road had been identified by the council, but streamlined funding meant the project was on hold, he said.
Wanaka Community Board chairman Lyal Cocks said the contractor's offer meant the council's scheduled project could proceed at once.
The walkway would link to the Mt Iron walking track and through to Aubrey Rd and would provide a safer pedestrian thoroughfare for residents, he said.
The Roading Company has been contracted for other QLDC walkway link projects alongside Beacon Point Rd, Aubrey Rd and Ballantyne Rd in Wanaka.
