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SH1 Timaru to St Andrews safety improvements

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Project introduction

Community feedback is helping to shape this project. We’re currently working through project scope changes to align with government priorities.

  • Estimated project dates

    Jan 2023–Feb 2026

  • Estimated project cost

    $30 million

  • Project type

    Infrastructure upgrade, Safety improvements

  • Project status

    Design

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Background

Around 9,000 vehicles travel along this crash prone section of SH1 every day including commuters, freight and large agricultural vehicles. There are multiple intersections along this route where traffic crosses, joins or leaves the highway. The rolling, curving nature of the road results in poor driver sight distances at some intersections. There have been 5 fatal and 16 serious crashes on this road in the past decade* leaving families and communities grieving and many people with life-long injuries.

Analysis of the crashes shows most were reported as loss of control on bends and straights, and head-on collisions. Generally, the fatal and serious crashes have occurred at intersections.

Any crash causes disruption and can close the road for up to several hours at a time.

*From the beginning of 2013 through to May 2023 – just over ten years. Source: Crash Analysis System (CAS), May 2023. CAS is based on police reporting.

  • What we're planning

    To align with government priorities, we’re making additional changes to the plan we consulted on with the community late last year. Construction is still subject to funding and timing and there could be more changes to the plan to come. All changes are reviewed by safety engineers.

    As of April 2024, the project includes:

    • road widening and shoulder strengthening where appropriate
    • intersection upgrades as required, including new or improved right-turn bays
    • pavement repairs followed by a new coat of chipseal
    • new line markings painted as wide centreline (without median barrier)
    • installation of rumble strips (Audio Tactile Profiled ATP road markings)
    • sections of side barrier at high-risk locations.

    This change in scope:

    • responds to government priorities outlined in the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport
    • responds to community concerns about having room to manoeuvre large slow-moving agricultural vehicles and the ability to pass them in an emergency
    • improves road condition and safety on 12.5km of medium to high-risk sections of highway – wide centreline reduces the risk of death and serious injury from crashes by 35%
    • will result in fewer crashes which will mean the highway is more efficient and can support productivity and economic growth in South Canterbury.
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  • Project timing – next steps

    We’ll progress the necessary consents and approvals, land purchasing, as well as apply for construction funding. Once funding is secured and a contract has been agreed, we anticipate construction could begin in 2024.

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Community engagement

During May/June and September/October 2023, we asked you if there was anything we needed to consider before progressing plans to make SH1 from Timaru to St Andrews safer. Feedback is now closed.

We received lots of useful information, thank you to everyone who gave us their views.

SH1 Timaru to St Andrews Safety Improvements engagement summary – December 2023 [PDF, 4.5 MB]

SH1 Timaru to St Andrews Safety Improvements engagement summary – September 2023 [PDF, 2.4 MB]

Project Contacts

SH1 Timaru to St Andrews safety improvements team – t2sa@nzta.govt.nz
Traffic and travel information
Driver licences
Vehicles
Roads and rail
Commercial driving
Safety
Walking, cycling and public transport
Planning and investment