The NZ Transport Agency has released new aerial footage of the Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 (CSM2), which shows how well the project is progressing.
The CSM2 is part of the Government’s Christchurch Roads of National Significance programme, a multi-million dollar plan to make it easier and safer to travel throughout Christchurch and the Canterbury region.
The CSM2 project will four-lane the existing State Highway 1 from near Rolleston to Robinsons Road and see a new section of four-lane motorway built to connect with the first stage of the Christchurch Southern Motorway at Halswell Junction Road.
Transport Agency Christchurch Highways Manager, Colin Knaggs, says the project got underway in November 2016 and is progressing well.
“The Downer - McConnell Dowell Joint Venture team who are building the motorway have been making good progress, as this new footage shows,” Mr Knaggs says.
“Much of the work is not visible to the public but this birds-eye view shows how much has been done in six months.”
Major earthworks to construct the new motorway alignment are underway and work has also started on key structures, such as the Main South Road underpass, Mr Knaggs says.
“A number of local road links have been constructed, and Manion Road, a new local road that will run parallel to the CSM2 is expected to be finished and open to traffic in June,” he says.
Mr Knaggs says Manion Road will give the local community and businesses a safe way to get into and out of their properties without having to negotiate with highway traffic.
“The project team have been creating new entrances off Manion Road to properties that currently have driveways off State Highway 1/ Main South Road,” he says.
“Once Manion Road is open to traffic we will close off the old entrances permanently. Not only will this make it safer, it will also make travelling on the new motorway more efficient.”
Mr Knaggs says people travelling around the Selwyn District, near the project, should expect detours and road closures at times over the coming months as work continues.
“Traffic will be closely monitored to try to reduce delays however people should plan ahead and allow extra travel time as work continues on the CSM2.”
The Christchurch Southern Motorway (Stages One and Two) is expected to halve travel time between Rolleston and Christchurch at peak times from 30 minutes to 15 and reduce fatal and serious crashes by 40 per cent. Stage One is complete and Stage Two is on track to be open to traffic in early 2020.
The drone footage and more information about the CSM2 can be found here: nzta.govt.nz/csm2(external link)
People can get information on road works and detours in the region they are in, or travelling to by checking https://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-and-travel-information/, by calling 0800 444 449 or following the Transport Agency on Facebook or Twitter.
