It's been a long and winding road but the first stage of the much-awaited Hawthorne Dr extension is officially open for traffic. Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult and his wife Karen took a ride in their 1960 Jaguar to officially open the first stage of the Hawthorne Dr extension yesterday. At the opening ceremony, Fulton Hogan stakeholder relations group executive manager Jules Fulton acknowledged the many parties involved in the project, including the Porter family. Those commitments had been met on time and on budget and the remainder of the road would be completed by Christmas, Mr Fulton said. Immediately after, Queenstown Airport opened its park and ride facility on the Frankton Flats.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 22, 2017 18:00 UTC