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Last modified: 29 Oct 2020 4:22pm

An aerial image of the Christchurch Southern Motorway looking from the western end of Rolleston towards Christchurch

Where are we at?

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is working closely with Selwyn District Council and KiwiRail, to develop an integrated transport plan for the Rolleston and Burnham area. The long-term (30 year) programme of improvements will be implemented in stages.

The plan centres on travel improvement options between Burnham and the State Highway 1 Weedons Road Interchange and is designed to improve safety and access for residents, businesses and freight.

The project was allocated $60M funding by the Government earlier this year as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP), a range of transport projects to get our cities and regions moving, save lives and boost productivity.

These include:

A SH1 flyover – with pedestrian and cycle access

Safety improvements to SH1 intersections – between Rolleston Drive north and and Walkers Road/ Dunns Crossing Road.

The improvements will assist local growth and the wider economic prosperity of the region. Construction is expected to begin in 2022 and continue through to 2025.

What is the long-term plan?

The Rolleston Transport Improvements Project is near the end of the ‘Programme Business Case’ phase. This is where the planners, transport engineers and other technical staff assess extensive work done to date and develop a mix of alternatives and options, with input from transport partners and key stakeholder groups. Work planned in surrounding and connected areas is also factored in. While some of the detail is still to be worked through, like funding and timing, the long-term programme (30-years) maps Rolleston and Burnham’s future transport needs and helps us plan and prioritise.

The plan is to:

Increase safety – reduce transport related deaths and serious injuries (particularly at state highway intersections) and provide safer facilities for pedestrians and cyclists

Improve liveability and connectivity – increase access to economic and social opportunities and have more transport choices available locally

Improve transport network reliability and more sustainable journeys – make improvements to support lower carbon travel options for people moving around and through Rolleston and Burnham, the Rolleston Industrial Area and for rail freight on the Main South Line.

The programme includes a number of intersection improvements, a local service lane running parallel to SH1, level crossing upgrades and greater provision for pedestrians, cyclists and buses – for example: a new park and ride facility.

Once the Rolleston Transport Improvements Programme Business Case is endorsed by Waka Kotahi, the programme will be refined by further investigation and input from the community. We will provide updates as the project progresses.

What's Next?

From 2022 to 2025

SH1 Rolleston flyover with walking and cycling facilities, a new service lane parallel to SH1 and an off-road cycleway to Burnham

Longer term

Additional intersection safety improvements and better access for pedestrians, cyclists and buses