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Project introduction

We’re making Brougham Street safer and more efficient, with smart improvements for a better experience. By using road space more effectively, optimising signals, and redesigning key areas, we’ll ease congestion, support freight, and offer travel choices better for the environment and economy.

  • Estimated project dates

    Jan 2019–Jan 2030
  • Estimated project cost

    $100 million to $150 million
  • Project type

    Road improvements
  • Project status

    Design

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Project update

Construction on the SH76 Brougham Street upgrade will begin in mid-2025, starting with the new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Collins and Simeon Streets. This follows confirmed Crown funding announced in February 2025.

The project will make one of Christchurch’s busiest roads safer and more efficient, with smart, simple changes that use existing road space, traffic signal phases and key improvements to the road design to get the road moving better. These upgrades will support freight, ease congestion, and give people safer, more sustainable travel choices that benefit communities, the economy, and the environment.

Two stage project construction approach

To get construction underway as soon as possible, the Brougham Street upgrade is being delivered in two stages. Stage one focuses on building the Brougham Pedestrian Cycle Bridge. This work can begin immediately, while planning and property acquisition for the wider corridor improvements continues. Splitting the project allows us to make early progress, reduce delays, and deliver benefits to the community sooner.

  • What’s included in stage one

    Stage one of the project focuses on constructing the new Brougham Pedestrian Cycle Bridge between Collins Street and Simeon Street over Brougham Street. An essential piece of infrastructure that will improve safety and traffic flow at this key intersection. This bridge will separate people walking, cycling and scooting from the busy Brougham Street corridor, significantly improving safety and reducing delays.

    The key features of stage one are:

    • The bridge providing a safer, traffic-free crossing for people walking, biking, or scooting, with a direct, uninterrupted connection to nearby schools, workplaces, and residential areas.
    • Changes to the road layout to discourage drivers from using the Barrington Street on and off-ramps to bypass queues on Brougham Street. This behaviour increases congestion for everyone on the corridor, and the new layout will help keep traffic flowing more fairly and efficiently.
    • Landscaping and urban design improvements around the bridge, including the cul-de-sacing of Colins and Simeon Streets, to remove through traffic and create a safer and more welcoming environment for people using the bridge.
    • Early utility relocation and site preparation to minimise disruption during later stages of construction.
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  • What’s included in stage two

    Stage two will deliver the wider corridor improvements along Brougham Street once property acquisition and consenting are complete. This stage focuses on making the corridor safer, more efficient, and better connected for all users.

    Key features include:

    • T2 lanes on Brougham Street for vehicles with two or more occupants, buses, and motorcyclists. These will operate during peak hours to move more people efficiently and provide more reliable travel times for freight and other drivers in the remaining two lanes. On-street parking will be removed to make space for the lanes but will be available during off-peak times.
    • Upgraded intersections and smart traffic signals to improve safety, reduce delays, and prioritise more sustainable travel modes.
    • A new signalised intersection at Montreal Street and removal of the right turn at Madras Street to better guide traffic into the central city’s one-way system. A new pedestrian crossing will also be included at Montreal Street 
    • Intersection improvements and signal optimisation to improve access along, onto, off, and across Brougham Street for all modes of transport.
    • More protected right turns (green arrow signals) to improve safety and reduce crash risks.
    • Improved walking and cycling infrastructure, including a new shared cycle path along the south side of Brougham Street and safer crossings that connect to schools, parks, and residential areas.
    • Enhanced public transport facilities at the Colombo Street and Selwyn Street intersections to make bus travel more efficient and more attractive.

    Urban design and liveability improvements in surrounding residential areas, including the creation of cul-de-sacs to reduce through-traffic and improve safety and amenity.

    These improvements will help reduce congestion, support reliable freight movement, and encourage more people to choose active and shared transport options, creating long-term benefits for the community, economy, and environment

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  • What does this mean for the people who use Brougham Street?

    When you are walking along Brougham Street you can use the existing footpath on the north side of the street, or the shared path along the southern side of the street. Getting across intersections will be safer and easier, with improved signalised crossings at all intersections and new signalised crossings. Changes to vehicle access on some streets will reduce the number of cars turning across your path. You’ll be able to use raised pedestrian crossings in some places or you can avoid traffic completely by using the new bridge.

    When you are cycling or scooting you can use the new shared path alongside those walking, with all the same safety benefits. This shared path is also a great way for you to connect with existing Major Cycle Routes in the area, such as the Little River Link west of Simeon Street and the Quarryman’s Trail on Antigua Street. There will be dedicated space for cyclists at intersections and new painted cycle lanes to connect into existing Major Cycle Routes in the area.

    If you’re catching the bus your driver will be able to beat some of the morning and evening congestion by using the new T2 lanes, providing more reliable travel times. Upgraded traffic signals at the intersections of Colombo and Selwyn Street let buses go ahead of other vehicles too.

    When you are driving along Brougham Street and there’s two or more people in the vehicle, you’ll be able to save yourself some time by driving in a T2 lane. If you’re a passenger, you also get to enjoy a bit of down time! You will be sharing this lane with buses, and people on motorcycles.

    You will not be able to use the T2 lane if you are by yourself, but you will still benefit from reduced traffic. Every car you see in the T2 lane means two fewer cars in your lane. New right-turn signals at major intersections will make it safer and easier for you to turn off or onto Brougham Street and get where you’re going. There will be some changes to vehicle access that may take some adjusting to, with ‘no turn’ signs added on certain side streets, and on-street parking available only during off-peak hours to allow for the T2 lane during peak times.

    If you’re riding your motorbike along Brougham Street you will experience most of the same changes as other vehicles on the road (see above), with one exception. You will be able to drive in the T2 lane during peak times, even if you don’t have a passenger.

    If you drive a truck, you’ll notice a difference at the traffic lights. We’re optimising traffic signals, and this will create ‘green waves’, meaning you’re more likely to hit a series of green lights, reducing the need to stop and start. This will result in more reliable journey times, lower fuel use, and fewer emissions from idling vehicles. making it easier to get to and from key destinations.

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Brougham cycling and walking bridge between Collins Street and Simeon Street

Here are some renders to give you a visual impression of what the bridge will look like.

Embedded into the design and artwork is a huge amount of feedback received from the community and the Bridge Feedback Group – we thank everyone for their input into making this design, functional and striking.