The package of projects in Canterbury helps manage growth by providing residents with safer and better travel choices, as well as improving freight links to support economic growth and the opening of the Christchurch Southern Motorway through to Rolleston.
The NZ Upgrade Programme includes $300 million for six 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. Safe, reliable and efficient access is needed to support all the ways people want to move about, and forecast growth in freight volumes.
In Rolleston, $125 million has been provided to create safer and better access from the residential area across State Highway 1 (SH1) and the Main South Line (railway) to the industrial zone. A new two-lane overbridge will be built to connect the two areas and provide improved walking and cycling facilities. It will cross SH1 from Rolleston Drive to Hoskyns Road.
Four intersections along SH1 between Burnham and Rolleston will also be upgraded, with a range of safety improvements to reduce deaths and serious injuries and better manage the forecast future growth in traffic volumes along this section of the highway.
Work on this project will begin in 2024.
In Christchurch city, $90 million has been provided for State Highway 76 (Brougham Street) to improve safety, provide better travel choice and support a more reliable freight route through to Lyttelton Port.
The work includes creating prioritised north-south public transport routes; safer, dedicated walking and cycling access across the busy highway; and ensuring there is better east-west traffic flow and capacity to keep freight moving.
Residents will be provided with a more reliable bus service and safer shared paths, making it easier to leave their cars at home and enjoy a stress-free commute into the central city. It will help reduce central city traffic congestion and alleviate pressure on the busy highway which is a main freight route.
This project will provide priority for buses and walking and cycling across the corridor and for vehicles carrying multiple people and/or freight along the corridor. Intersection improvements will make it safer for communities that flank the highway.
Work is expected to get underway in 2023.
Brougham Street / Moorhouse Avenue area
Two dedicated bus lanes will be built on a high use section of State Highway 75, connecting the Christchurch suburb of Halswell with the central city.
$40 million funded is being provided to create much needed capacity to the public transport network in the high growth south-west sector of the city.
The new bus lanes will run 2.5km along the highway, and help manage growth and provide transport choice for those commuting to work in the city centre.
Work is expected to begin in 2023.
SH75 Halswell Road improvements
Three intersection safety improvements will be completed in growing rural town centres throughout Canterbury. Under the $45 million package, traffic signals will be installed in Tinwald, Ashburton and West Melton to allow safer access for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly vulnerable school children. These intersection improvements will improve safety and access for these town centres and travel options for local residents.
These safety improvements will be installed at SH1/ Lagmhor Rd in Tinwald, SH1/Walnut Avenue in Ashburton, SH73/Weedons Ross Rd in West Melton.
SH1 Tinwald Corridor Improvements
Improved freight access
Integrated land use
Improved travel choice
Improved safety
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
Rural intersection safety improvements
$159 million
Construction starts
– late 2022
Phased completion
– from 2024–25
Improving safety
Building network resilience
Supporting economic growth
Enhancing walking and cycling
