Canterbury 2020 update

Overview

Our investment in Canterbury is focused on making the roading network safer, while still ensuring improved access to Christchurch’s significant freight and tourism hubs such as Lyttelton Port and Christchurch Airport.

Supporting these objectives is the investigation into the future of public transport, the potential of a mass transit corridor, and innovative ways to promote greater use of cycling and walking facilities.

The completion of the northern and southern arterial motorways in 2020 will support safer and more reliable journeys into Christchurch.

Work to improve safety at Canterbury’s rural intersections, and safety in and around rural townships is ongoing.

Greater Christchurch

The Greater Christchurch Partnership (GCP), of which Waka Kotahi is a member, is working to encourage transport mode shift within the city and wider region. This is part of a collaborative approach to address strategic challenges, including accessibility, as Christchurch and the neighbouring districts of Waimakariri and Selwyn continue to adjust to the change in growth patterns following the earthquakes early last decade. 

In the last 18 months

• The $28.7 million project to install a new fire deluge system in the Lyttelton Tunnel was completed in July 2019. The project improves safety and reduces the risk of lengthy closures through this key transport route. Installed as part of the project was a large water reservoir, 6km of pipework, 2274 water sprinkler heads, 40 new safety cameras and 70,000 metres of cable.
• A series of new shared paths are opening in Christchurch, Selwyn and the Waimakariri district. In Selwyn, the Leeston to Doyleston Cycleway is nearly complete and in Waimakariri, two stages of the Gladstone Road shared path have been completed. This path links Woodend to Gladstone Park and Pegasus. In Christchurch, the cycleway on Wilsons Road and Ferry Road was finished in August, this is part of the Puari ki Kahukura Heathcote Expressway. In October, the Halswell end of the Puari ki Otūmatua Quarryman’s Trail was completed, as was the section of Te Ara Ihutai Christchurch Coastal Pathway between Shag Rock and the Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club.
• Broughs Road extension was completed in2019 as part of the Western Corridor improvements. This extension has reduced the potential for traffic conflict at the intersection of Logistics Road and Sawyers Arms Road.
• All the bridges for the northern and southern Christchurch motorways have now been completed (see below for more detail on these projects).

NZ Upgrade Programme 

The NZ Upgrade Programme includes $159 million for projects to support growth in the south-west sector of Christchurch and neighbouring Selwyn district, where there has been significant residential and industrial growth, including the development of two inland ports. Safer, more reliable and efficient access is needed to support all the ways people want to move about and forecast growth in freight volumes. The projects are:

• Rolleston overpass for local access
• Intersection safety improvements
• Bus lanes on SH75, bus priority on Brougham Street
• Active modes integration and crossing facilities
• 500m rail connection between inland ports and Main South Line, in Rolleston
• Rural intersection safety improvements in West Melton, Tinwald and Ashburton.

Announced in February 2020, the regional package of NZ Upgrade Programme investment will help address safety risks, resilience, accessibility and travel time reliability as well as support regional economic development. The Canterbury project totalling $5m is:

• SH8, SH79, SH80 Mackenzie Basin, pull-over areas.

Underway or about to start

• Sections of the Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 have been opening progressively this year. The opening of all lanes of the motorway, from Halswell Junction Road to Hoskyns Road near Rolleston, is scheduled for October with construction work around the motorway scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020 and final surfacing early in 2021. This motorway will reduce congestion and crashes south of the city and substantially reduce traffic on Main South Road through Templeton – potentially 2000 fewer trucks per day.
• The Northern Motorway is expected to open in December. It will include two sections of carpool/T2 lane. Benefits of the project include safer travel to the north and west of the city and better access for freight to and from the city, Lyttelton Port and Christchurch International Airport.
• Work is now advanced on the Mode Shift Plan for Christchurch. The Plan brings together all planning and improvement work related to Mode Shift underway in Christchurch into one document.  The report is expected to be completed this month. In addition, Waka Kotahi is working with the Greater Christchurch Partnership in developing a Travel Demand Management Business Case, primarily focused on opportunities for behaviour change.
• Three integrated business cases are investigating improvements to the public transport network in Christchurch. Known as PT Futures, the business cases will identify improvements to five existing core bus routes, and overall improvements to the network, as well as identify a potential mass rapid transit route and investment triggers.
• Development of a business case continues on safety and access improvements along and between Brougham Street (SH76 and Moorhouse Avenue. Planning for the NZ Upgrade improvements for Brougham Street are included within this business case. Modelling and detailed analysis is underway to confirm a preferred package of improvements for the entire area.
• As part of the NZ Upgrade package of improvements, Waka Kotahi will be delivering a $60 million package of improvements in Rolleston to provide safer and better access from the residential area across SH1 and the Main South Line (railway) to the industrial zone. Business case development work is currently underway, ahead of design and construction.
• The SH8, SH79, SH80 Mackenzie Basin, pull-over areas project from the regional package of the NZ Upgrade Programme will start construction from Spring 2020.

Safety

Under the Safe Network Programme, Waka Kotahi is delivering proven safety interventions on our highest risk intersections and roads. Within Canterbury this will include the delivery of median barrier, improved intersections and safer speed limits. The programme is also supporting local councils to develop and deliver safety improvements.

In the last 18 months

• Work to install barriers, road markings and rumble strips has been completed on SH74 from Marshlands to Burwood in Christchurch and on SH7 between Waipara to Waikari.  
• An intersection speed zone has been installed and will soon be activated at the intersection of SH1/SH79 (the Rangitata turn-off) intersection. This temporarily reduces speed to 60km/h on SH1 when there is traffic turning right off SH1 or traffic coming out of SH79.
• Work is continuing to improve safety at level crossings at Kirk Road (SH1) in Christchurch; and Rangitata (SH79) in South Canterbury. Waka Kotahi is also continuing to investigate improvements to the State highway north and south of Christchurch, such as determining where median and side barriers are most likely to prevent deaths and serious injuries.
• Design work is underway for traffic signals to be installed outside Woodend School.  The signalised crossing will replace the existing kea crossing run by the school community.
• Significant work to review speeds has also taken place throughout the region.   

Regional development

In the north, investment in both the Kaikōura and Hurunui districts is focused on earthquake recovery and completing the rebuild of the State highway and the local road network. Work to make this important infrastructure safer and more resilient will be completed in December 2020.

To the west of Christchurch, on SH73 to the West Coast, the realignment of Mingha Bluff in Arthur’s Pass National Park is now complete, providing safer and improved access for freight between Canterbury and the West Coast. Rockfall risk reduction work at Waimakariri Bluffs, just east of Arthur’s Pass, has also been completed.

A major realignment of SH7 at Sylvia Flats, west of the Hanmer Springs turnoff, has had earthworks completed with surfacing expected to be completed this summer. The realignment is required to prevent the Lewis River from cutting into the highway and threatening the route, which is a vital link between the east and west coasts of the South Island.

Throughout the region, safety at intersections is a major concern for the wider Canterbury area. Safety improvement works at three rural intersections – Tinwald, Ashburton, and West Melton – will take place as part of the NZ Upgrade Programme of improvements. This will allow safer access for pedestrians and cyclists, and particularly vulnerable school children.

Underway or about to start

• Work will progress on the detailed business case to design a second bridge across the Ashburton River, and associated improvements.
• The LED lighting replacement programme continues throughout most of Canterbury. LED lighting increases safety and significantly reduces energy use and on-going maintenance costs.
• Service improvements to the public transport network are ongoing, including a demand response trial underway in Timaru which is looking at opportunities to make more effective use of technology in the network.

• Keeping the land transport system well maintained and safe is a large part of the annual investment in the Canterbury region and Greater Christchurch area. This money ensures the transport system is safer, more reliable and easier to use, helping to keep communities connected and supporting economic growth. 

Environment

Canterbury remains committed to improving the environment, with all councils throughout the region planning to invest in additional LED lighting. Christchurch city is planning to spend $25 million to complete the transition of the city’s streetlights to LED.

Likewise, expanding the cycle and pedestrian network in the region will provide environmental benefits. North of Christchurch, the new motorway and carpool/T2 lane project includes shared use path connections north and south of the Waimakariri bridge and a new clip-on cycleway on the bridge.

Investment in the Canterbury region

*Waka Kotahi led projects only

Overview map