The aim of the Woodend Corridor investigation was to protect the land needed for motorway improvements and give the community some certainty on the future. A bypass to the east of Woodend township was identified as a long-term planning need.
The Woodend Corridor investigation was carried out between 2011 and 2014. It developed the best route and layout for both possible SH1 routes between Pineacres and the Pegasus area. It consulted the community on their views and considered the pros and cons of the two routes. The two corridors investigated where:
The NZTA worked with the community and the Waimakariri District Council to integrate this project with other community plans including Kaiapoi North, Woodend east, Ravenswood and Pegasus outline development plans. On completion of the study, the Short Eastern Alignment (SEA) was selected as the best option for the future. The land needed was protected by a designation in the Waimakariri District Plan.
A Notice of Requirement for a designation over the land needed for the Short Eastern Alignment (SEA) was lodged in late 2013 and the Waimakariri District Council publicly notified this application in mid-January 2014. The public then had until 24 March to make a submission, a hearing and decision to designate the Short Eastern Alignment route followed.
