artists rendition of the next stages of the town centre upgrade showing a new road with pedestrian and bike lanes going past the Challenge petrol station and New World supermarket

The next stages of the Lincoln Town Centre Upgrade have taken an important step forward, with Selwyn District Council awarding the construction contract for stages 2 and 3 to Fulton Hogan.

As the contractor for Stage 1, Fulton Hogan has built strong working relationships within the Lincoln community and gained a detailed understanding of local needs, providing continuity and helping minimise disruption as the upgrade progresses.

These stages will be constructed together and cover Gerald Street from and including the Springs Road intersection to the end of stage 1 by West Belt.

Construction is programmed to begin in late October 2026 and will deliver significant improvements along Gerald Street to support Lincoln's continued growth and to make it safer and easier for people to get around.

With traffic on Gerald Street forecast to increase from around 10,000 vehicle movements a day to 16,000 by 2045, and Lincoln's households expected to grow from 3,500 to 6,000 by 2040, the project will help future-proof the town centre with safer connections for people walking, cycling and driving, and enhanced public spaces that support a vibrant and thriving community.

Key features of Stages 2 and 3 include:

  • Signalisation of the Gerald Street/Ellesmere Junction Road/Springs Road intersection and the Gerald Street/Vernon Drive intersection
  • Undergrounding of powerlines
  • Relocation of bus stops and installation of new bus shelters
  • Separated cycleways on both sides of the road
  • Road renewal works
  • New stormwater and water supply infrastructure

Artists impression of cars, pedestrians and a tractor using the new traffic lights outside Lincoln University

Selwyn District Council Executive Director of Infrastructure and Property Tim Mason says awarding the contract marks another major milestone for the project.

" A key focus of these next stages is making Gerald Street function better for everyone who uses it. The upgrades will improve how people move through some of Lincoln's busiest intersections, provide safer facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, improve public transport infrastructure, and support a more efficient transport network as the town continues to grow."

Mayor Lydia Gliddon says the project is an important investment in Lincoln’s future.

“We know this work will have an impact while it is under way, especially for Gerald Street businesses. The Council will continue to work closely with contractors and local businesses to keep access open and to reduce disruption as much as possible.

"I also want to thank Councillors McGlinchy, Barnsley, Carrick and Macleod for backing local businesses and helping establish the LTC fund. I know they will keep talking with their constituents as these next stages progress."

Lessons from stage 1 have helped shape the construction approach for the next phases which are expected to take 18 months to complete, with maintaining access to businesses a key focus. Work will be undertaken across multiple areas at the same time, and specialist construction methods, including directional drilling, will be used where possible to help reduce overall disruption.

We acknowledge that construction will bring some disruption for residents, businesses and road users, and we appreciate the community's patience and understanding. Traffic management arrangements will vary throughout the project and will be designed to strike the right balance between maintaining safe work areas and providing access for residents, businesses and road users, while reducing overall programme duration as much as possible.

We will continue to keep the community informed throughout the works, providing regular updates on construction progress, upcoming activities and any changes to road layouts or access arrangements.

Last modified: 08 Oct 2026 12:00pm