Project purpose
This project is part of the Western Corridor, which is critical for supporting economic growth, reducing congestion and improving safety in Canterbury. Traffic volumes on Russley Road (SH1) are increasing and this is expected to continue into the future. To improve travel times, efficiency and safety on this section of highway, it is being widened to four lanes.
Benefits
The benefits of the SH1 (Russley Road) Wairakei Road to Yaldhurst Road Four Laning include:
- When completed, traffic on Russley Road will flow freely - reducing travel times for people and freight to and from Christchurch International Airport and around greater Christchurch
- The north and south bound lanes will be separated by a raised median which will improve highway safety
- These improvements will also provided environmental benefits - with better management of stormwater and improved outlook with the planting of native shrubs in the raised median and relocation of overhead services underground.
Features
The four laning of Russley Road (SH1) between Yaldhurst Road and Avonhead Road has begun. Key features of this work include:
- Widening Russley Road (SH1) to create two lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median
- Stormwater treatment
- Relocating overhead services such as power and telephone lines underground.
- Landscaping the road corridor.
- Alterations to the Ryans Road / Russley Road (SH1) Intersection.
- Removal of on-street parking between the Airport Business Park and Yaldhurst Road.
- U-turn facilities at regular intervals to provide access to properties and businesses.
- A 2.5m wide shoulder to improve safety for cyclists.
- At the Ryans Road/Russley Road (SH1) intersection south bound and north bound traffic on Russley Road (SH1) will be able to access Ryans Road. Ryans Road traffic will only have access to the north bound lanes of Russley Road (SH1). There will be no right turn access from Ryans Road to Russley Road (SH1).
The SH1 Russley Road from Avonhead Road to Yaldhurst Road project is part of the Western Corridor, a roads of national significance project. More information on the Western Corridor can be found on the Western Corridor website.
