In March 2025 detailed design of the new motorway and bypass started and by late September we’ll be almost halfway through this work. In this phase we refine plans and the design.
Key focus areas include bridge, interchange and culvert designs, environmental assessments (like noise and flood modelling), landscaping, drainage and stormwater treatments, street lighting, property needs and consenting.
In September, consents were approved for work to strengthen the Kaiapoi River Bridge. The Kaiapoi River Bridge upgrade will ensure the bridge can safely carry an additional southbound lane between the Lineside Road intersection and the Ohoka Road southbound slip lane. This lane will provide the capacity needed between the Lineside Road onramp and the Ohoka Road off-ramp.
Planning is underway for the quarry lake reclamation work, which is the second portion of the early works package. The quarry lakes reclamation gives time for the fill to settle properly, helping ensure the main construction works can begin more smoothly and efficiently.
Funding for the early work package was approved in August, and work is expected to get underway in early 2026 once a tender for the work is awarded.
