The $86.5 million first stage of the town centre arterial road project, being overseen by Queenstown’s council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency alliance, Ka Huanui a Tahuna, started in earnest earlier this year.
Work is presently focused on the stretch of road between the Millennium and Copthorne hotels where underground utilities are being upgraded.
Once that’s done, Frankton Rd will be widened, and a new intersection with Melbourne Street will be built.
That’s expected to take till late next year.
However the work’s already causing issues for accommodation providers in the area, who’ve been battling for business for more than two years.
Queenstown Motel Apartments manager Deepanshu Sajjan says the roadworks are right
Noise levels have also been an issue, though Sajjan says that’s improved recently.
While the alliance has given advance notice for noisy work, he remains concerned over the impact the arterial upgrade, which is scheduled to continue directly outside the motel for at least another 10 months, will have on business.
in front of his motel, and access is blocked by a "fencing line".
Guest feedback is "not very good", he says.
"I’m getting regular feedback that due to roadworks it’s very hard to get in."
Guests are also having their ride-share services or taxi bookings cancelled because of difficulty accessing the property.
"The only thing I can say to our guests is it’s not in our hands... it’s council’s work and we can’t hinder their work, we have to cooperate."
Hurley’s of Queenstown manager Toni Eade says they’ve also received complaints from guests about noise and access points.
"People are finding it quite hard to find us ... it’s a bit frustrating."
She’s emailing guests prior to arrival with a head’s up about the roadworks, and even blocking off rooms closest to the construction when night work’s scheduled.
A council spokeswoman says a noise expert’s on site during night works, and a noise metre’s available at all times.
