Improving transport access to Christchurch

7 September 2021

The opening of the Christchurch Northern Corridor in December 2020 marked the end of the decade-long Christchurch Motorways infrastructure programme that aimed to reduce congestion, improve freight connections and increase safety.

With almost 50km of new or improved roads to the north, west and south of the city, and 20km of new or improved walking and cycling paths, the programme has reduced local people’s commute times by as much as 30 minutes.

This programme has also helped support the region by:

• making it more efficient to move freight to and from Lyttleton Port and Christchurch International Airport
• improving access to the central city
• generally increasing the capacity of roads to support freight traffic.

Improvements to key routes have also brought economic benefits for Christchurch, the Canterbury region and the wider South Island with better access to industrial and distribution hubs to the south-west of Christchurch and in Rolleston.

As part of the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme, $605 million will be invested in Canterbury to maintain roads and help keep communities connected.

Christchurch Northern Corridor project
2021–24 NLTP Waitaha | Canterbury regional summary