The NZ Transport Agency today announced a $435 million investment by the government in Christchurch’s transport network with the awarding of contracts to build the new Christchurch Northern Corridor and stage two of the Christchurch Southern Motorway.

Contracts have been let to build the new $240 million section of motorway to the north of Christchurch to help ease congestion and for the $195 million second stage of the Southern Motorway that will improve travel times and reduce serious crashes.

These are the last two Christchurch Motorways projects to be built under the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme.

Transport Agency Southern Regional Director Jim Harland says both motorways are critical for improving travel times for commuters, many of whom have rebuilt their homes to the north and south of Christchurch following the earthquakes, and to support the continual growth of Christchurch as an important freight distribution centre and export hub for the South Island.

The Southern Motorway stage two will four-lane State highway 1, just north of Rolleston to near Robinsons Road. From here, the new section of motorway will be built to the east of SH1 across Greenfields to connect with stage one at Halswell Junction Road. This second stage begins in October and will take three and a half years to complete.

The contract for this second stage of the Christchurch Southern Motorway has been awarded by the Transport Agency to a McConnell Dowell/Downer joint venture.

The new Christchurch Northern Corridor will be built to the east of Belfast, between the Waimakairiri River and Cranford Street, providing relief for North Canterbury commuters travelling into Christchurch.

This alliance contract between the NZ Transport Agency, Christchurch City Council, Fulton Hogan, Aurecon and Jacobs, will construct the new section of State Highway 74, as well as two Christchurch City Council projects, the Northern Arterial Extension, from QEII Drive to Cranford Street, and the four-laning of Cranford Street to Innes Road.

Mr Harland says the alliance is a great example of central and local government working together to create a safe, reliable transport network that meets the needs of all road users, including cyclists, pedestrians and those using public transport.

Detailed design for the new motorway is currently being completed and construction is expected to get underway in October. The project will take four years to complete.

The Christchurch Northern Corridor will include:

the upgrade of QEII Drive to four lanes between Main North Road and Innes Road helping reduce congestion and delays with freight through to Lyttelton Port

better access to the growing industrial zoned area around Belfast

construction of a third northbound lane on the Waimakariri motorway bridge through to Tram Road, helping to improve traffic flows out of Christchurch

a shared pedestrian/cycle path along the length of the project will links to existing streets and planned cycle facilities in the area providing safer access to leisure activities, employment and the many schools in the area

improvements to the public transport network and efficiency on Main North Road with less traffic through this residential area.

For more information on the Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC) and Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 (CSM2) projects visit: www.nzta.govt.nz/csm2(external link) or www.nzta.govt.nz/cnc(external link)