The joint Transit New Zealand and Queenstown Lakes District Council project to upgrade Shotover Street, which will include major street scaping improvements, gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday), QLDC parks director Paul Wilson said.

The project's primary aim was to resurface the Shotover Street section of state highway 6A and replace damaged kerbs.

"The Council has taken the opportunity to join the project and upgrade stormwater and provide new kerbs for the length of the street as part of its planned streetscape upgrade," Mr Wilson said.

The first stage of the project, which includes the road reinstatement and drainage work, would cost $1.3 million with QLDC contributing $741,000 of that cost.

Council approved an additional $160,000 at full Council on Friday to enable further stormwater works to be undertaken now. These works will include the provision of a new rider main to enable new private connections into the stormwater to be made without major road work.

Bond Contracts of Invercargill had been awarded the contract and were programming works to minimise disruption to traffic, retailers and pedestrians.

"Two-way flow will be maintained with work largely confined to one section of street at a time until the main milling of the asphalt surface in mid March," Mr Wilson said.  The first phase was due to be completed in early May.

The second phase of the project included all the above ground works such as paving, street lighting, signage, street trees and furniture and would closely follow the road works starting in mid-April and running into winter, Shotover Street working party chairwoman QLDC Councillor Gillian Macleod said.

"The upgrade of Shotover Street will bring a number of benefits including a future proof stormwater system, improved lighting, an additional pedestrian crossing, smart paving and furniture and the planting of street trees," Cr Macleod said.

The extent and nature of paving work to be undertaken will be dependent on funding being approved as part of the review of the 2005/06 Annual Plan.

Initially the project scope was for the rejuvenation of Shotover Street from Stanley to Camp Street but consultation has shown a desire to complete the work for the full length of Shotover Street and also upgrade the lower end of Duke and Brecon Streets. That way the entire precinct from Stanley Street to Beech Street is tidied up in one project.

ENDS

For further information please contact Paul Wilson 441 0499.

By: Kiri