Project introduction

Helping locals and visitors to Queenstown choose different ways to get around this beautiful region, with better access to public transport and improved, safer connections for those who wish to walk or ride their bikes.

About the project

The $115 million Queenstown Package will provide dedicated public transport infrastructure and support people to choose different ways to travel that are both healthier and better for our environment. That includes bus  priority measures on State Highway 6/ State Highway 6A, bus lanes on SH6, improvements to the existing Frankton bus hub, improvements to the SH6A/SH6 intersection, pedestrian access improvements across SH6 and SH6A and a new roundabout at Howards Drive.

The growth in Queenstown’s resident and visitor population, together with a high dependency on private vehicle travel, has compounded traffic congestion and delays.

The NZ Upgrade Programme – Queenstown Package is not focused on increasing road capacity; we are prioritising infrastructure to support our public transport network to improve the level of service. We will then work closely with our partners, Otago Regional Council, to support them in delivering additional public transport services.

The works are being delivered for Waka Kotahi via the Kā Huanui a Tāhuna Alliance in partnership with Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Designs for the works are underway, with an estimated construction start date in early 2024.

  • Key project features
    • Building bus lanes on State Highway 6 and adding bus priority measures to State Highway 6A is providing critical public transport infrastructure on a very constrained and busy network.
    • Significant investment by Government in the local transport system.
    • Improving options for residents to encourage them to change how they commute and go about their daily activities.
    • Reducing reliance on private vehicles within the main corridors into and out of Queenstown.
    • Reducing the impacts of travel on the environment by encouraging greater use of the public transport network and walking and cycling.
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  • Project at a glance
    • The New Zealand Upgrade Programme is a $8.7 billion programme of works announced by the Government which Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail are delivering
    • $115 million funding committed
    • New bus lanes on SH6
    • New bus priority measures SH6A
    • Improved pedestrian access to public transport
    • Improved safety across the network with a focus on walking and cycling
    • Intersection Improvements SH6/6A intersection including accessibility improvements
    • Improvements to existing Frankton bus hub
    • New roundabout at Howards Drive
    • 15% reduction in emissions by 2048
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Project partners

This is a partnership between Waka Kotahi, Queenstown Lakes District Council and four design and construction companies, Beca, WSP, Downer New Zealand and Fulton Hogan. The partnership has been set up as an alliance model and has been gifted a name by Iwi Kā Huanui a Tāhuna.

logo nzup queenstown package

Project maps

Queenstown package overview

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SH6 Ladies Mile corridor improvements

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SH6 Frankton corridor improvements - SH6/SH6A intersection to Humphrey Street

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SH6 Frankton corridor improvements - Hardware Lane to SH6/SH6A intersection

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SH6A corridor improvements 

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