The Western Corridor (SH1) connects the northern and southern Canterbury areas with Christchurch International Airport, and runs between Belfast in the north to the large industrial area at Hornby in the south.
This project involves upgrading the Masham Road and Carmen Road sections of SH1 from Yaldhurst Road to the railway crossing south of Waterloo Road. After the rail crossing the new four-laning will tie into Carmen Road’s existing four-lane section leading up to Main South Road. The Waterloo Road intersection approaches will also be upgraded as part of this project.
Benefits
- Reduced congestion. The additional lanes will help reduce congestion and improve travel times. Dedicated right-turn lanes, extended two-lane approaches and light phasing at the Waterloo Road/Carmen Road intersection will reduce queuing, improving travelling times.
- Improve access to the airport and Hornby. By reducing congestion, access to the airport and the industrial areas around Hornby will be improved for people and goods.
- Improved safety for motorists. The separation of northbound and southbound traffic using a raised median will improve safety. Changes to the intersections with Waterloo Road, Tirangi Street, Halwyn Drive and Chestnut Avenue will also improve safety for local residents and businesses and traffic travelling through Hornby.
- Improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists. A 3-metre wide off-road joint pedestrian/cycle path from Kintyre Drive to Waterloo Road (in the vicinity of Hornby Primary School and Hornby High School) will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists (particularly school pupils).
- Improved the environment. Improved management of storm-water run-off from the highway will provide environmental benefits.
- Improved road appearance. Relocating overhead services underground and landscaping the highway corridor will improve the appearance of the highway for residents and motorists.
