The NZ Transport Agency says construction on a key Christchurch Motorways project will get underway this week, with site preparations commencing on the four-laning of State Highway 1 (SH1) Carmen and Masham Roads between Yaldhurst to Waterloo Roads.
The project is part of the SH1 Western Corridor improvement programme between Hornby and Belfast, part of the Christchurch Motorways Roads of National Significance programme. Heb Construction has been awarded the contract for the project, which is due for completion in November 2014.
NZ Transport Agency State Highways Manager Colin Knaggs says the project is being split into several zones to minimise the impact of the work on road users and before work starts in these zones members of the project team would call on directly affected businesses and residents to explain what is happening and to answer questions.
“The project’s first stage is the greenfield area on the west side of Carmen Road between Yaldhurst Road and Buchanans Road. Site preparation, including removing trees and moving existing utility services within the new road alignment, will start this week. Motorists will still be able to use the road throughout this project and safe access through the site will be in place for pedestrian and cyclists.”
Mr Knaggs says the new four-lane median separated highway will improve safety by separating north and south bound traffic. Once Carmen and Masham Roads are four-laned road users will enjoy improved road capacity and access to Christchurch International Airport and Hornby and can look forward to less traffic congestion on this section SH1.
When completed, the Western Corridor improvements will allow the goods and services needed to rebuild Christchurch and promote economic growth in the wider Canterbury region to move more efficiently and safely over this new four-lane median separated road, Mr Knaggs said.
More information on this project and the Christchurch roads of national signifiance is available at:
Editor’s notes
The Government has identified seven essential state highway projects linked to New Zealand’s economic prosperity. Called the roads of national significance, or RoNS for short, the NZTA is charged with delivering this programme of state highway improvements within the next 10 years. The RoNS programme represents one of New Zealand’s biggest ever infrastructure investments and is a key part of the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan and Government’s Policy Statement for transport.
The seven RoNS projects are based around New Zealand's five largest population centres. The focus is on moving people and freight between and within these centres more safely and efficiently. Other RoNS may be added in future but currently from north to south the seven projects are: Puhoi to Wellsford - SH1, Completing the Western Ring Route, Auckland - SH16, SH18 and SH20, Victoria Park Tunnel, Auckland - SH1, Waikato Expressway - SH1, Tauranga Eastern Link - SH2, Wellington Northern Corridor - SH1, Christchurch Motorways. More information is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/rons(external link).
