- Hon Chris Bishop
- Hon James Meager
Major roading improvements for State Highway 75/Halswell Road in Christchurch have finished months ahead of schedule, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and South Island Minister James Meager confirm.
“This Road of Regional Significance project will improve choices for people on this busy road, increase resilience and support strong housing growth in the southwest area of Christchurch,” Mr Bishop says.
“The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has successfully delivered this project well in advance of the original October 2026 completion date, meaning several fewer months of disruption for people in the area. There were some challenges with delivery, including post-earthquake underground conditions being much more difficult than expected.
“Work began in 2024 to upgrade SH75/Halswell Road between Curletts Road and Dunbars Road, including priority bus lanes for more reliable public transport, shared paths on both sides, and a two-way cycle path on the northern side.
“New signalised intersections and pedestrian crossings will also improve safety for people walking, scooting and cycling.”
Mr Meager says it is a significant upgrade for a fast-growing part of the city and will make a real difference for the people who rely on this route daily.
“NZTA has worked with Christchurch City Council, which is installing peak hour bus lanes on Lincoln Road. This will lead onto SH75/Halswell Road and provide an extended corridor of improved public transport along the roads, when complete,” Mr Meager says.
“National is committed to fixing the basics and building the future of South Island infrastructure. This milestone follows our Budget 26 roading resilience package, worth more than $150m, to strengthen some of the mainland’s most vital state highways.
“It also comes just weeks after the sod-turning of the second Ashburton Bridge, another key Canterbury transport project. The first stage of the SH76 Brougham Street upgrade is also underway, with the second stage on track to start later this year.
“We also confirmed $38.5m in co-funding for the Pages Road Bridge replacement in August last year, which is being delivered by Christchurch City Council. I look forward to seeing shovels in the ground as soon as possible.”
Notes to Editor:
- The overall cost to complete the SH75 Halswell Road improvements project is expected to between $60-70 million. Final costs will be confirmed by NZTA in due course once standard end-of-project financial reconciliation work is completed.
- The project involved approximately 275,000 worker hours, with almost 1000 people inducted onto the work site during the course of the project.
- The following approximate amount of materials was used or applied in the project:
- 4,700m of kerb and channel.
- 4,500m of timber edging.
- 56,700m2 of asphalt (road and footpath/cycleway/drives).
- 18,500m of line-marking.
- 6,000m of ducting or trenches for utilities.
- 170 drainage structures (manholes/sumps)
- 1350m of watermain.
- 2,900m of stormwater.
- 5,040m of subsoil drainage.
- 110,000 m3 of aggregates (roading material).
- 173 plants/trees planted.
- 52 traffic signal poles.
- 132 streetlights.
More about the project is available here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh75-halswell-road-improvements.
