The new Eastern Access Route will allow traffic to travel through Remarkables Park and follow the Shotover River Behind the Queenstown Airport runway, to reconnect with SH6.

Construction of the long-awaited Eastern Access Route around Frankton will begin this month with a $21.8 million contract awarded to Fulton Hogan.

The road, which will link SH6 at Frankton with the Frankton industrial area along the Shotover River, thus avoiding the congested BP roundabout, is expected to be completed in December 2017.

It is primarily funded by the Queenstown Lakes District Council with support from the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor-elect Jim Boult got the job of announcing the project in his first week in the job.

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"This has been a long time in the making and it's great to see the contract awarded so work can begin right away. Being able to open up a transport link before winter next year will be of huge benefit to locals and visitors alike," he said.

A statement from the council said the road, which is officially known as Hawthorne Dr, would be completed in two stages, with an initial connection between Glenda Drive and Remarkables Park expected to be open to motorists before winter next year.

NZTA Acting Southern Regional Director Michael Aitken said the link was an essential part of the wider programme of works to manage the effects of Queenstown's unprecedented growth.

Fulton Hogan will establish and commence works on site from October 25.

Also today Queenstown Airport has announced it is starting on a project to expand its short and long term car parking facilities.

An addition 50 car parking spaces will be created by November 29 - an increase of over 10 per cent.

Works to expand the commercial zone have also commenced this week, enabling pick-ups and drop-offs for commercial operators in this zone.

Car parking rates are being reduced until November 3 to take account of the potential inconvenience to customers while the work is underway.

Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Colin Keel said the works formed part of the airport's short term infrastructure improvement programme following its 39 per cent rise in passenger numbers over the past three years.

The works were also a prelude to the airport's long term strategy on traffic management and road transport solutions which would improve traffic flow and further increase car parking options.

"These are key focus areas as we develop the 30-year master plan for Queenstown Airport."

Clutha Southland MP Todd Barclay has welcomed the airport's plans and is planning to launch a petition to ban parked cars and introduce double lanes along SH6, between Queenstown Airport and the BP roundabout.

A recent survey indicated the majority of the cars were associated with the airport and stayed four days on average.

He is holding a meeting for Frankton residents on November 5 to discuss traffic issues in Frankton, including parking and congestion along SH6.

"Based on the overwhelming feedback from Queenstown residents, I will soon be calling on members of the public to sign a petition calling for action on this," Barclay said.

"Before I do that, I want to ensure the directly affected Frankton residents' views are heard and needs are catered for."