The roundabout construction on SH84 is now expected to be completed by mid-late April next year, meanwhile the construction of the underpass doesn’t have a defined deadline. 

“Our aim is to overlap completion of the roundabout works with the underpass works, which will be around 100 metres from the roundabout on the eastern (Puzzling World) side of the roundabout. Completion of this (underpass) still TBC,” said Simon Underwood, Senior Project Manager at NZTA. 

If the slow progress for the roundabout is annoying, the delay of the underpass is actually dangerous as it won’t be aligned with the opening of the new school, Take Kārara. The non-complete underpass means very young students need to cross SH84 to get to the school. In response to this, Underwood said: “We are really pleased that the Transport Agency and Queenstown Lakes District Council together have ensured this underpass is getting built to benefit the safety of the new school and its community. Together we are working towards a number of details — e.g; the affected landowner agreements, satisfaction of Resource Management Act requirements, as well as the design, pricing and contractual engagement of the physical works. It is over to the school community and parents/caregivers to determine how to make the most of the transport options available and get pupils to school safely. Once the underpass does become available, which is expected during the course of term two, it will provide a substantially more convenient travel option via the new Sir Tim Wallis Drive – which itself is presently under construction.”