Road safety improvements along Otago Peninsula are a step closer with the awarding of a design contract.

Construction of the $20m project is expected to begin in the middle of next year.

It'll include road widening and the extension of cycling and pedestrian paths.

The Dunedin City Council is partnering with the New Zealand Transport Agency, which is paying for just over half the project.

Strong public support for the upgrade has seen it fast-tracked.

The design contract's been awarded to GHD New Zealand, which will start activity on site in the coming months.

Made with the support of NZ on Air