Third stage of Western Corridor completed

Motorists travelling along State Highway 1 to the west of Christchurch are enjoying better travel times with today’s (Thursday 17 July) completion of the third section of the Western Corridor upgrade.

Both Masham and Carmen Roads, from Yaldhurst Road through to Main South Road, have now opened to four lanes today, bringing to an end a two and a half year project, says the NZ Transport Agency’s Highway Manager Colin Knaggs.

“With completion of this section of the highway, we are now halfway through construction of the Western Corridor.

“Three sections remain and work is scheduled to get underway on each of these towards the end of this year or early next year, subject to designation and consenting approval.”

Mr Knaggs says apart from some minor works in the next few days and the laying of the asphalt top coat on sections of the corridor in spring when temperatures are warmer, this section of the Western Corridor is now completed.

The Western Corridor is part of Christchurch’s Roads of National Significance programme. It is one of three corridors, one each being built to the west, south and north of the city, which are critical to supporting the Christchurch rebuild and the economic growth of Canterbury through the efficient movement of people, freight and services, and by linking the Christchurch Airport, the Lyttelton Port of Christchurch and Central City.

Mr Knaggs says State Highway 1 is now four-laned from Main South Road through to Avonhead Road and from Harewood Road to Sawyers Arms Road.

“We are making  good progress on the Western Corridor. This is a big project. It involves upgrading 12kms of existing highway and intersection improvements, including a Gateway Bridge at Memorial Avenue and a Southern Airport interchange near Avonhead Road, and the construction of 4kms of new road to the west of Belfast.

“When completed in 2017/18, the Western Corridor will provide a four-laned expressway from north of Belfast through to Hornby.”

The final three stages of the Western Corridor are currently going through the designing and consenting phases. These are:

• Four-laning of Johns Road, from The Groynes to Sawyers Arms Road, programmed to start before Christmas this year.
• The Western Belfast Bypass, 4kms of new road from north of Belfast to Johns Road, is scheduled to begin early next year, subject to consenting approval.

The four-laning of Russley Road Section, from Harewood Road to Avonhead Road, including the Gateway Bridge and the Southern Airport interchange, scheduled to begin this summer, subject to consenting approval.

For more information please contact:

Jan McCarthy
Media Manager - Christchurch
NZ Transport Agency
T: 03 964 2885 
M: 021 427 442
E: jan.mccarthy@nzta.govt.nz