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Second Ashburton Bridge

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Project introduction

This new bridge and road will create an efficient and reliable connection between the growing areas of Tinwald/Lake Hood and Ashburton, linking communities and improving resilience between Ashburton and Tinwald during large scale weather events.

  • Estimated project dates

    Apr 2025–Jun 2028

  • Project type

    Bridge improvements

  • Project status

    Design

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About the project

  • Ashburton straddles State Highway 1 (SH1) and the South Island Main Trunk railway which together make up the primary South Island transportation and freight corridor – crucial for the South Island’s supply chain and a critical route for emergency services.
  • The existing Ashburton River/Hakatere bridge on SH1 to the south-west of Ashburton is the primary means of crossing the Ashburton River/Hakatere. Road users experience severe delays when the bridge is closed due to crashes or recently extreme weather events. The new bridge will provide a resilient detour in times of disruption on SH1.
  • The Second Ashburton Bridge project will provide access across the 650m wide Ashburton River/Hakatere riverbed, about 800m east (downstream) of the SH1 Bridge. On the north side of the river the bridge extends from Chalmers Avenue. On the south side of the river, a new road will connect the bridge to Carters Terrace and on to Grahams Road. The project also includes roundabouts, new intersections and provision for people walking and cycling.
  • Tinwald and the Lake Hood area are experiencing significant growth which is predicted to continue. This growth is contributing to traffic congestion at intersections with the state highway and intersections north and south of the existing bridge.  The project will provide a new route for local traffic reducing pressure on SH1 and the existing bridge.
  • The project has been prioritised for delivery as a Road of Regional Significance (RoRS).
  • The project is co-funded by NZTA and Ashburton District Council (ADC).  While NZTA will lead the design and construction phases of the project, ADC will continue to partner with NZTA. The council initiated the project several years ago – see history below.
  • We’re currently reviewing existing design concepts, doing investigations into the ground conditions and the local environment, and working through planning and land acquisition processes.
  • We expect to start construction in 2026 and to be completed mid-2028.
  • We’ll provide updates as the project progresses, including designs and construction timeframes. Please subscribe to receive project updates (see above).
  • History
    • In 2006 the Ashburton Transportation Study identified that a second road bridge across the Ashburton River would be more beneficial for local traffic that inter-district traffic.ADC started technical investigation work in 2010 with a long-list of possible locations for a second bridge.
    • Further investigation work was done in 2011. The Chalmers Avenue location became Council’s preferred location.
    • Application for land designation was lodged in November 2013.
    •  ADC resolved to confirm the designation in May 2014 and the District Plan was amended to reflect this.
    • A business case was begun in 2020 and in 2021 the Council voted to progress the business case.
    • In August 2023 the Government announced that it would fund a second bridge as a key transport project.
    • ADC lodged the business case  with NZTA in September 2023.
    • In July 2024, a second urban bridge for Ashburton was named as a Road of Regional Significance in the Government Position Statement (GPS) for Land Transport.
    • Funding for the second bridge, by NZTA and ADC, was announced on 19 December 2024 by the then Transport Minister, Simeon Brown:
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  • Project timeline

    We understand the importance of the project and want to start construction as soon as possible, so we’re working on various parts of the project at the same time including property acquisition, remaining statutory approvals, procurement and even looking at when we might be able to start some ‘early work’ – work that can be started sooner and supports later construction work.

    We’re planning to bring our construction contractor onboard before the detailed designs are completed, allowing the contractor to be involved in refining the finer details, look at improved construction methodology, understanding the local opportunities and addressing any potential issues.

    Here’s an indicative timeline:

    • Detailed design and investigations work funding approved by NZTA Board – April 2025
    • Investigation work starts – March/April 2025
    • Remaining Statutory approval applications lodged – mid-2025
    • Construction and detailed design tender awarded – July 2025
    • Main construction starts – early 2026.
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  • Benefits
    • An efficient and reliable connection between the growing areas of Tinwald/Lake Hood and Ashburton linking these communities.
    • Improved resilience with an alternative connection between Ashburton and Tinwald, for example during large-scale weather events, or if a diversion is needed, due to a crash or roadworks/maintenance on SH1.
    • Improved connectivity for local residents.
    • Reduced traffic volumes on SH1 will help out-of-town traffic and freight get to where it’s going more efficiently helping to keep our economy thriving.
    • Improved safety including for right turning traffic on to the state highway from East Tinwald.
    • Supporting the growing areas of Tinwald and Lake Hood.
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  • Key features
    • The Second Ashburton Bridge will be constructed to the east of the current SH1 bridge.
    • The new bridge will be about 360m long and when you add in the embankments and other structures it is over 650m long.
    • The bridge will connect with Chalmers Avenue north of the river and with a new road south of the river.
    • The new road will also connect Carters Terrace to Grahams Road in the east of Tinwald.
    • The bridge will include provision for people walking and cycling.
    • The project also includes:
      • earth embankment and a small structure across the Tinwald flood plain
      • intersection improvements at Chalmers Avenue and South Street (north of the river)
      • new intersections at:
        • the new road and Grahams Road (south of the river)
        • the new road and Carters Terrace (south of the river)
        • the new road and Wilkins Road (south of the river)
        • the new road and Johnston Street (south of the river).
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Project Contacts

Second Ashburton Bridge project team – 2AB@nzta.govt.nz
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