The NZ Transport Agency’s resource consent applications and Notice of Requirement for a designation over the land needed to build the Western Belfast Bypass will be notified this week by the Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury.
The Transport Agency’s Canterbury/West Coast Highway Manager Colin Knaggs says the Agency has consulted widely on the Western Belfast Bypass and is encouraging the community to provide further comment through the Council’s designation and consenting process.
The Western Belfast Bypass will be located west of Belfast. This new section of State Highway 1 will run from Johns Road, south of the entrance to The Groynes recreational reserve, to connect with the Northern Motorway north of Dickey’s Road.
Mr Knaggs says the route bypasses the Belfast urban area, reducing by half the number of vehicles travelling through the local community. This will make it safer for residents to walk and cycle, as well as improving the reliability of public transport.
“The bypass, which forms part of the Western Corridor, will improve travel times for motorists who will be able to travel at 100km/h on the bypass to Johns Road and then 80km/h further south on the four-lane corridor towards Hornby.”
The Western Corridor is part of the Government’s Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, critical to supporting economic growth, reducing congestion and improving safety in the region.
Motorists on the Northern Motorway are currently experiencing congestion during peak travel times, particularly in the morning. He says the 4.5km bypass will help to reduce these delays and improve the reliability of travel times.
It is proposed construction of the Western Belfast Bypass will begin early next year and take three years to complete. The cost will be about $100 million.
For more information on the project visit the website: www.nzta.govt.nz/wbb(external link)
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
