United approach to Riccarton Road upgrade

Drop-in sessions this week will outline the combined approach to road and underground pipe repairs – along with bus priority measures – planned during the Riccarton Road upgrade.

Christchurch City Council staff will hold three public sessions from 1 May to 3 May, detailing the work planned for Riccarton Road between Harakeke Street and Matipo Street and seeking feedback.

An artist's impression of the planned changes to Riccarton Road.

The work will start in spring.

Local businesses and residents are being invited to attend the sessions to discuss any issues and ask questions.

In order to minimise disruption, it is important to understand how the upgrade work will affect the local community.

Current work

Since 2016, contractors have been working to replace and upgrade damaged underground pipes and to introduce bus priority measures along the busy thoroughfare to Harakeke Street

Work was paused in December 2017 to support local businesses over the busy summer trading period. Contractors returned to the area in late March to complete kerbing, ground investigation and water main installation work. Traffic lights are also being installed at the railway crossing.

The final pipe work is being completed at Harakeke Street, which remains closed at the Riccarton Road junction, in order to commission the new sewer main. Over May and June the road between the Deans Avenue intersection and Harakeke Street will be rebuilt and resurfaced.

“We need to repair this vital infrastructure and ensure the full restoration of services to a busy area,” the Council’s Planning and Delivery Transport Manager, Lynette Ellis, says.

“By taking a combined approach to the work, we can lessen the chances of further road and horizontal infrastructure disruption in the years ahead.”

The drop-in sessions will be held at two locations over three days:

• Tuesday, 1 May, 10am to 2pm, Yolin Church, 180 Clarence Street
•  Wednesday, 2 May, 12 noon to 3pm, Westfield Riccarton, outside Westpac
•  Thursday, 3 May, 4pm to 7pm, Yolin Church, 180 Clarence Street