The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists that the new Pound Road realignment and extension in Templeton, Christchurch, is open to traffic.
Contractors closed the Barters Road railway crossing over the weekend and opened up the new realignment and extension of Pound Road, between Waterloo Road and Main South Road, earlier today (Monday).
The change means drivers will now access State Highway 1/Main South Road via a new signalised intersection, near Little Sister Café and The Swamp (Islington Tavern, see map below.)
Motorists will no longer be able to use Barters Road to travel between Main South Road and Waterloo Road but they will still be able to access businesses and homes along Barters Road.
Travellers are advised to drive with extra care and attention while they get used to the new road layout.
Transport Agency Delivery Manager Colin MacKay says the change is part of the SH1 Barters Road/Pound Road improvements, a $19 million project which has been underway since 2016.
It involves realigning and extending Pound Road, realigning Waterloo Road, installing new traffic signals at intersections, closing the Barters Road railway crossing and creating new cycling and walking links.
“The project is designed to improve the transport links between Pound Road and State Highway 1 and improve safety,” Mr MacKay says.
“It will cater for future growth in the area by making it safer and easier for motorists to access the state highway on Main South Road.
“This will be especially important as Waterloo Business Park and other developments continue to grow and attract people and the Canterbury region’s population increases.”
Now that the new Pound Road alignment has been opened, contractors can complete the final section of road and footpaths at the Waterloo Road/Barters Road intersection and carry on landscaping as they work to finish the project by the end of 2017.
More information can be found on the SH1 Barters Road/Pound Road improvements project page.
