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 was permanently closed to be decommissioned. The intersection also permanently closed, with no vehicle or pedestrian access over the railway at this location.

Now that the new road link has opened, 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.

22 May to August – localised impact

Now that the commissioning process is complete, the new road link has opened for use.

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 complete the remaining works for the construction of the cul-de-sac on Panther Place (the old road).  These works will include a new kerb and channel, some road resurfacing, and some new footpaths. For more information, see the works notice here(external link).
• They will also construct a short 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. For these works, scheduled until the end of July, traffic will be temporarily reduced to one lane for westbound traffic on Waterloo Road between the new level crossing at Halswell Junction Road and Fulham Street. For more information, see the works notice here(external link).

We have completed the following key works:

• Creation of the new road link for Halswell Junction Road, between Foremans Road and Waterloo Road, which is now 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.
• 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.

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.