Halswell Junction Road extension

From 6pm on 16 May, the existing railway level crossing at the intersection of Halswell Junction Road (now Panther Place) and Waterloo Road will be permanently closed and decommissioned. The intersection will also permanently close, with no vehicle or pedestrian access over the railway at this point.

Once the new road link opens, work will begin on making the old road link into a cul-de-sac, south of the railway line. The road was renamed Panther Place in April 2025.

The new street name for the cul-de-sac was consulted on with properties in this section of the street, and on 14 December 2023, the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board approved the name Panther Place.

Designed to improve efficiency and safety, this project delivers several important benefits, including:

• Safer and easier access onto Waterloo Road with the installation of traffic signals at the new intersection and level crossing. The new road layout also provides a more direct route through the industrial area, improving freight network connections to Waterloo Business Park and Pound Road.
• A more liveable environment for residential properties located on the old section of Halswell Junction Road (Panther Place), with reduced noise, vibration, and pollution. The new road link not only accommodates through-traffic but also serves as the new entry and exit point for two businesses that were previously accessed via the old road.
• Resealed road surfaces on Panther Place, Halswell Junction Road (between Foremans Road and Main South Road), and the intersection on Foremans Road, including a section of the road to the west.
• Safer and easier walking and cycling connections through the area.
  • We created a shared path on both sides of the new road link between Foremans Road and Waterloo Road, which can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.
  • The new level crossing, which features double automatic gates, enables pedestrians and cyclists to safety cross the railway line. 
  • The crossing connects to the South Express Major Cycle Route(external link), which is partially completed along Waterloo Road. We will be constructing a small section of this cycleway, between Wilson and Finsbury streets, as one of the final works in this project. The cycleway’s construction is ongoing.

• Improved bus stop facilities on the new road link, including a new shelter on the southbound side and a new bus seat at the northbound stop.
• Kerb, channel and footpath renewals and landscaping enhancements.
• Upgraded water mains.

To bring the project to completion, some final works will be carried out in 2025. The impact of these works will vary, as follows:

Friday 16 May to Thursday 22 May – wide impact

With road closures required on three busy roads in Islington/Hornby – Pound Road, Halswell Junction Road and Parker Street / Gilberthorpes Road – this programme of work is expected to bring disruption to the area. 

Signposted detours will be in place during the closure periods. See above text box for closure locations and timings, and click the tab below for a detour map.

Key works we're doing:

• KiwiRail will complete the railway signal commissioning works, which includes integrating the railway system with the traffic signals and switching over the railway signalling system. Work within the rail corridor will mostly be carried out on the nights of Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May. Increased construction noise and vibrations are expected, but disruption will be minimised as much as possible. Following this, KiwiRail will undertake extensive safety testing of the new system.
• Our roading contractor, Fulton Hogan, will be establishing the signal-controlled intersection where the new road link and level crossing meet Waterloo Road.
• They will also complete final works at the intersection of Foremans Road to prepare for opening the new road link.

22 May to August – localised impact

Once the commissioning process is complete, the new road link will open for use immediately.

This will be communicated to the public through a variety of channels, and additional signage will be on the road to direct traffic onto the new road.

The remaining work will focus on Panther Place and Waterloo Road, with more localised impacts. 

Key works we'll be doing:

• KiwiRail will continue to disestablish the existing level crossing, which will be closed permanently, including to pedestrians.
• South of the old level crossing, Fulton Hogan will close the road to make Panther Place into a cul-de-sac. These works will include a new kerb and channel, some road resurfacing, and some new footpaths.
• They will also construct a small section of the South Express Major Cycle Route(external link) on Waterloo Road, just north of the old level crossing between Wilson and Finsbury streets.

More information about impacts for traffic, residents and businesses will be provided closer to the time in a work notice.

We have completed the following key works:

• Creation of the new road link for Halswell Junction Road, between Foremans Road and Waterloo Road – Complete, but the road is not open. 
• Construction of the new level crossing to connect the new road link with Waterloo Road.
• Installation of new traffic signals at the new level crossing and Waterloo Road intersection – To be switched on in May.
• Foremans Road intersection works – including resealing, new traffic islands and new curbs.
• Resealed road surfaces on Panther Place, Waterloo Road adjacent to the existing level crossing, Halswell Junction Road between Foremans Road and Main South Road, and the intersection on Foremans Road, including a section of the road to the west.
• Watermain upgrades.

Additional features:

• The relocation of two bus stops to the new road link.
• Landscaping works, painted cycle lane markings, pedestrian refuge islands, kerb and channel renewals, and new shared paths.

Thanks for your patience as we complete the remainder of the work for this project.

The detour map below reflects which roads will be used for detours when all three level crossings are closed – Pound Road, Halswell Junction Road and Parker Street/Gilberthorpes Road. 

This will be nightly, from 7pm to 9am the next day, on the following four nights:

• Sunday 18 May
• Monday 19 May
• Tuesday 20 May
• Wednesday 21 May

The detour map shows which roads are open during these times to all vehicles, with some additional roads available to light vehicles (i.e. no trucks).

Outside of the above times, during the 16 to 22 May programme of work, starting 6pm on 16 May – only the Halswell Junction Road level crossing will be closed. This means traffic can use Pound Road and Parker Street/Gilberthorpes Road in addition to any roads marked on the detour map during the following times:

• Friday 16 May, from 6pm (all roads open prior to this time)
• Saturday 17 May
• Sunday 18 May, until 7pm
• Monday 19 May, between 9am and 7pm
• Tuesday 20 May, between 9am and 7pm
• Wednesday 21 May, between 9am and 7pm
• Thursday 22 May, after 9am

Halswell Junction Road is then expected to open on Thursday 22 May at the end of the day.

We know these road closures will be disruptive, and we apologise for any inconvenience. Please allow extra travel time and follow the signposted detours. 

This project was consulted on between 1 September and 25 September 2017.

The community provided feedback on the proposed options for the project, which included:

Option 1 – New link
Option 2 – Upgrade of the existing road link
Option 3 – Do nothing

Find out more about the consultation.(external link)

On 30 January 2018, the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board met to discuss the proposal. Out of the three options, the new link was the preferred choice. The updated plans were also discussed at the Community Board meeting.

Decision

On 1 March 2018, Council approved the updated plans for the Halswell Junction Road Extension.