Motorists using State Highway 1 to the west of Christchurch are now enjoying better travel times with the recent completion of the Western Corridor upgrade.
A section of the recenly opened Western Corridor
When completed in 2017/18, the Western Corridor project will provide a four-laned expressway from north of Belfast through to Hornby. The project is part of the Christchurch’s Roads of National Significance programme. This programme is critical to the Christchurch rebuild and the economic growth of Canterbury through the efficient movement of people, freight and services.
The recently completed third stage of the Western Corridor has seen both Masham and Carmen Roads, from Yaldhurst Road through to Main South Road, four laned and ends what has been a two and a half year project, says the NZ Transport Agency’s Highway Manager Colin Knaggs.
“With completion of this leg of the highway, we are now halfway towards completing the construction of the Western Corridor.
“Work on the remaining three sections is scheduled to get underway by the end of this year or early 2015, subject to designation and consenting approval.”
Currently four traffic lanes are operating on the Western Corridor from Main South Road through to Avonhead Road and from Harewood Road through to Sawyers Arms Road.
Mr Knaggs says good progress is being made on completing the project which involves upgrading12kms of existing highway and intersection improvements.
The four-laning of the Russley Road section, from Harewood Road to Avonhead Road, including the Gateway Bridge and the Southern Airport interchange, is scheduled to begin this summer, subject to consenting approval.
Meanwhile the four-laning of Johns Road, from The Groynes to Sawyers Arms Road, is programmed to start before Christmas this year; and construction of the new 4km Western Belfast Bypass from north of Belfast to Johns Road, is scheduled to begin early next year, subject to consenting approval.
