Latest update: 07/10/2016

Work ramps up on Durham Street - expect delays

October 2016

Sections of Durham Street will be reduced to one lane between Kilmore and Tuam Streets from 17 October to April 2017 as part of the An Accessible City programme.

Durham Street is being transformed into a new urban waterfront that takes advantage of the Ōtākaro/Avon River. The area will be landscaped with additional trees and a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians will be created. New storm water pipes and cables will be installed under the road, build-outs will be constructed to narrow the road as part of the slower speed core area, and the street lighting and traffic signals will be upgraded. 

Motorists not stopping at businesses in the central city are urged to use the four avenues and Barbadoes and Madras Streets during this period as it will be quicker. This will also help the businesses around Durham Street remain accessible to their customers.

“Ōtākaro is aware that this work will be inconvenient to road users and businesses but due to the narrow nature of parts of Durham Street it is not physically possible to do the work without a lane reduction,” says Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley. 

This stage of An Accessible City is being delivered by Downer for Ōtākaro in partnership with Christchurch City Council, ECan, Ngāi Tahu and the NZ Transport Agency. The partners have also worked with the Christchurch Transport Operations Centre on the plan to enhance Durham Street. 

“People are urged to keep supporting central city businesses, many of whom have endured years of rebuild roadworks, but to be aware of potential delays,” says Mr Brantley. 

The project stems from the Share an Idea campaign through which people asked for greener streets with slower traffic and quality walking and cycling paths.

The work will be completed in stages, subject to weather and construction conditions:

• Kilmore Street to Hereford Street will be one lane from October 17
• Kilmore Street to Armagh Street will reopen to two lanes early in the new year
• Armagh Street to Tuam Street will be one lane from early in the new year and progressively return to two lanes by April 2017
• Contractors will then carry on with less intrusive work in the area until spring 2017.

Partners in An Accessible City thank Christchurch people for their patience during this next phase of construction. Commuters should check www.tfc.govt.nz for real-time updates on the areas of work and information on how to most effectively use the transport network while it is being carried out.