Selwyn District is growing rapidly. Based on current travel choices, SH1 through Rolleston could increase from around 24,000 to 33,000 vehicles over the next 20 years. Even with improvements to public transport we expect traffic will continue to increase.
Highway traffic volume is almost at ‘tipping point’. Even a small amount of extra traffic can trigger very long delays at the Hoskyns Road and Rolleston Drive North signals.
Planning and investigations started back in 2007 with a strategic transportation study called the Christchurch Rolleston and Environs Transportation Study (CRETS) which showed a flyover was needed to improve connections between the residential and industrial sides of Rolleston, as well as provide a more resilient and safer road and rail network. The Christchurch Southern Motorway and the Rolleston Interchange at Weedons Road were part of that original planning, and now we are developing the flyover connection within Rolleston.
The Detailed Business Case (DBC) stage was finalised in 2023 and the pre-implementation (detailed design) stage began in 2024. The project was split into 2 packages for the design and construction, with Stage 1 being the new roundabout at the SH1 and Dunns Crossing/Walkers Roads intersection and Stage 2 being the new bridge over SH1 and associated intersection improvements.
The project team has completed design, property acquisition and consenting to enable construction on Stage 1 to start in October 2025 (once a contractor has been appointed), with planned completion in December 2026.
The roundabout is being built first as it needs to be operating before the right-hand turns into Rolleston town centre are removed during Stage 2. This will enable traffic to safely access the industrial area and Rolleston town centre from the south. The improvements at Weedons interchange will also take place during Stage 1, in preparation for when the right-hand turn into Hoskyns Road is removed during Stage 2.
Work continues on design, property acquisition and consenting for Stage 2, with an anticipated construction start date of October 2026 and completion in late 2028.
