25 June, 2026 – Closures for Queenstown Lakes projects complete

Two sets of state highway closures for projects in the Queenstown Lakes District have concluded today – one as expected, and the other slightly ahead of schedule.

In Frankton, work on the Bus Hub and associated night closures on State Highway 6/Kawarau Road between the BP Roundabout and Lucas Place roundabout, ended at 6am today as planned.

This work, part of the Queenstown Package(external link), was to prepare for a shift of the bus operations into the new half of the expanded Bus Hub.

The other project, a wastewater upgrade by Queenstown Lakes District Council, meant daytime closures for the Albert Town Bridge on State Highway 6 near Wānaka this week, for an important wastewater upgrade. This phase of work and closures was scheduled to finish at 5.30pm today but was completed by 4pm.    

A 30km/h temporary speed reduction is in place on the bridge, as well as temporary speed humps. Crews will return for further work (and more weekday daytime closures) from 3-14 August 2026 to continue the upgrade, and the Council will send out reminders of that further work closer to the time.

12 June 2026 – State highway closures for Queenstown Lakes District

Road users in the Queenstown Lakes District are being advised of two sets of state highway closures coming up, one of which will require a substantial detour.

In Frankton, work on the Bus Hub as part of the Queenstown Package(external link) means that State Highway 6/Kawarau Road, between the BP Roundabout and Lucas Place roundabout, is due to be closed nightly 10pm to 6am to all vehicles except public buses, from Sunday 21 June to Wednesday 24 June, 2026. Detours will be available via Hawthorne Drive (see map below).

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and its alliance, Kā Huanui a Tāhuna, are preparing to move the current bus operations into the new half of the Bus Hub, which is being built slightly further south on SH6/Kawarau Road. This way buses can continue operating while the northern half of the Bus Hub is excavated and rebuilt, prior to integrating the two halves into one expanded and improved area.

SH6/Kawarau Road needs to be closed at night for line marking, to remove old traffic light poles, and to install and activate new traffic light poles along the road, ahead of bus operations beginning at the newly built Bus Hub. During the night closures, floodlights will be directed downwards to work areas, away from nearby residences as much as possible, and noise will be minimal.

From 6am on Thursday 25 June, the new half of the Bus Hub will be open, and the existing one fenced off so construction can begin. Signage will direct people to the new bus stops.

In addition to these NZTA night closures at Frankton, Queenstown Lakes District Council is planning daytime closures from the same week of the Albert Town Bridge on State Highway 6, near Wānaka, for an important wastewater upgrade.

These closures are scheduled for 9am to 5.30pm daily, Tuesday 23 June through to Thursday 25 June, and again from Monday 3 August through to Friday 14 August (weekdays only), 2026. These closure dates may be subject to change because of weather and other factors.

During these daytime closures, vehicles will be detoured via State Highways 6 and 8A, Luggate Red Bridge, Kane Road, Gladstone Road, and Camphill Road (see detour map below). Oversized or freight loads will need to travel via the Dead Mans Point bridge in Cromwell, State Highway 8A near Tarras, and Kane Road.

People can find more information on this wastewater upgrade and traffic management:

Upper Clutha Wastewater Conveyance Scheme(external link)

NZTA thanks people for their patience and understanding while these closures are in place.