Feedback sought on plan changes for State Highway 1 through Rolleston

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has listened to community feedback and made changes to plans for a State Highway 1 flyover and safety improvements through Rolleston, south-west of Christchurch.

The $125m project* is planned as part of the government’s $8.7 billion New Zealand Upgrade Programme to provide growing communities with more  options to help people get where they’re going safely.  The project aims to improve safety and connections across SH1 between Rolleston’s residential side and its industrial and business hubs and railway inland port zone.

New Zealand Upgrade Programme – Canterbury package

Waka Kotahi is asking for community feedback on the revised draft plans until 22 July, says Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships James Caygill.

“We’d like to check in one more time before we finalise our recommended draft plan and close out the business case ready for the next project phase – detailed design.”

Mr Caygill says the project is an excellent example of how community feedback helps to shape transport planning.

“We do listen, look at and consider every piece of feedback received from the community. Since public consultation last year, the team has taken another look at ways the residential and industrial sides of Rolleston can be better connected.

“This process involved on-going investigations, reassessing viable options and testing how these performed against key criteria – including short and long-term effects on the wider transport network and fit with Selwyn District Council’s vision for Rolleston. There is information on our website to help people understand the background to the project and why changes have been made,” Mr Caygill says.

The main changes include:

• A more direct flyover connection between Rolleston township and industrial areas for a simpler transport network (instead of the ‘skewed’ flyover consulted on last year)
• More highway access points – to ease travel and improve efficiency at Weedons Interchange:
  • Vehicles heading to Christchurch can take a free turn left onto the highway from Hoskyns Road (after the rail crossing).
  • Drivers from Christchurch can take the new offramp to Rolleston and also loop back over the flyover to Jones Road

Flyover at Rolleston – indicative image of the alignment

 

Location on SH1

 

Sam Broughton, Mayor of Selwyn District Council, says as well as safer ways to cross and connect Rolleston over the highway and rail line, the plan offers people more travel choice.

“Selwyn is a great place to live. This project will provide better travel options, keep our people safe and help our district’s economy grow,” Mr Broughton says.

People are invited to speak to the team about the proposed Rolleston Transport Improvements at the following events**:

• Saturday, 2 July 1.00-3.30pm, Rolleston Community Centre, 94 Rolleston Drive
• Friday, 8 July 11.00am-1.30pm, Te Ara Ātea, 56 Tennyson Street
• Sunday, 17 July 11.00am-1.30pm, Selwyn Aquatic Centre, 71 Broadlands Drive.

Online feedback

Video presentation and background

The last day for comment is Friday 22 July, 2022.

The Rolleston Transport Improvements Project includes:

• A straight flyover, between Rolleston Drive North and Jones Road, connecting Rolleston township and industrial areas
• A southbound service lane for people exiting SH1 to Rolleston town centre, highway amenities, suburbs and looping to the flyover across to industrial areas
• Intersection safety improvements - left in and left out only for Rolleston Drive South, Brookside Road, and Tennyson Street intersections. Left out only at Hoskyns Road
• A new two-lane roundabout at Dunns Crossing/Walkers Roads
• A new third rail yard track and run around area for trains heading south.

As part of planning, Waka Kotahi has considered nearby areas and future projects. While some projects have different funding, timing and delivery, they will all work together to strengthen Selwyn District’s transport network.

For more information visit the SH1 Rolleston transport improvements project page

* Includes contingencies.

**COVID-19 protection venue guidelines will apply. Cancellations may be required at short notice. Subscribe to updates at rollestonflyover@nzta.govt.nz to stay informed.