The closure of the Ryrie St-State Highway 1 intersection in Balclutha is permanent, with the construction of a cul-de-sac to begin after Easter.
A trial closure of the northern end of Ryrie St has been in place since October 2011 after it was dubbed ''the most dangerous intersection in the district'' by the police in a letter to the Clutha District Council.
Police said there were too many road rules for drivers to consider when negotiating the three-way intersection.
James St is also a heavy traffic bypass, running parallel to Balclutha's main business area before rejoining State Highway 1 at the intersection with Ryrie and Clyde Sts.
Council district assets manager Jules Witt said that in its former layout, the Ryrie-James-Clyde St (SH1) intersection was potentially the most dangerous in the Clutha district, a view reinforced by the police.
During the trial closure, comments received from Ryrie St residents and the public had generally been in support of a permanent closure, he said.
The council resolved last May to make the closure permanent and began consultation with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to gain its final approval for the physical closure and associated design.
Mr Witt said that process was completed and SouthRoads would soon begin replacing the temporary concrete barriers with a cul-de-sac design.
The work would cost about $88,000, with $85,000 of that funded by the NZTA. The work was expected to be completed by the end of April.
