Media Release

 

Transit New Zealand

Christchurch Regional Office

Media Release

03 October 2007

Transit seeks public input on Christchurch Southern Motorway project

Transit New Zealand is progressing with the design of the Christchurch Southern Motorway and is now asking Christchurch people to provide feedback and comments on the project. Residents in south Christchurch have already received a newsletter and feedback form this week. 

Estimated to cost $110 million, the Christchurch Southern Motorway will provide a strategic arterial route between the city and the south-west for through traffic, and will alleviate existing congestion on adjacent routes.  It will also provide a key link to the port of Lyttelton.

Transit Regional Manager, Colin Knaggs stresses the importance for the local community and businesses to take the time to give their feedback.  "The Christchurch Southern Motorway is part of our region's integrated transport strategy and a key element in the implementation of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy.  Comments and feedback that we will receive from the public will play a very important role when considering the final planning."

Consultation has been ongoing since 2002 and has culminated in a preferred option for the motorway.  The current plans can be viewed on Transit website at www.transit.govt.nz/projects.  An online feedback form can also be downloaded from the website. Interested parties have until 2 November 2007 to provide comments and feedback.

"We are assessing all potential environmental effects that the Southern Motorway might have on the community.  This includes issues such as noise, cultural, heritage and traffic and construction related impacts.  We are also giving consideration to landscaping along the main motorway corridor," says Colin Knaggs.

"Transit plans to lodge resource consent applications with the Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury. Subject to obtaining approvals and completing land acquisition, we hope to be in a position to start construction in 2009/10. With six bridges and 10 kilometres of roadway to build the Motorway, it will take three years to complete."

Copies of the newsletter and feedback forms will also be available at the Hornby, Riccarton and Halswell libraries.

For more information please contact:

Colin Knaggs

Christchurch regional manager

Transit New Zealand

Tel 03 366 4455

Mob 0274 953 624

Visit us at www.transit govt.nz