Speed restrictions along a section of Malaghans Rd, between Arrowtown and Queenstown, will remain in place over winter, after the Queenstown Lakes District Council announced a $900,000 construction project would be split in two parts and completed in spring.
Work on the road began in February and while the entire upgrade of the section was due for completion by May 4, land negotiation, funding approval and power pole relocation processes were taking longer than expected.
QLDC project manager Steve Hewland said once the weather dropped below 10degC it was not advisable to carry out road sealing because the bitumen wouldn't "stick" and the risk of surface break up would increase.
That part of the road - an 850m section from Middlerigg Lane to the entrance of Remarkables Vets - was shaded by hills and would be cold earlier than other parts of the road network, so rather than risk a seal failure the project would be split.
The first phase, which involved tree trimming, installation of drainage and the building up of shoulders for the widening of the road for the cycle lane should be completed by the end of this month.
The existing sealed road surface would remain intact and would be maintained through winter but, for safety reasons, speed restrictions would be in place.
Phase two would be pavement reconstruction and would involve taking up the chip seal surface, reshaping the road, stabilising the gravel layers and placing a new seal finish.
"We expect to start on these works late in August, with a view to finishing in mid September."
