Media Release 20 April 2012

Plan ahead, be patient on roads new school term

Christchurch drivers are encouraged to do their roadwork homework before getting in the car Monday morning, the first day of the new school term.

The New Zealand Transport Agency and Christchurch City Council have been working together to minimise the impacts of roadworks and traffic congestion and last week launched a new website www.transportforchch.govt.nz

“Drivers and other road users can now get up-to-date information about the roadworks schedule on the new website,” said SCIRT General Manager Duncan Gibb. “People need to work out the journey they will take before they are stuck in traffic on Monday morning.

“We know that delays are unavoidable as huge pieces of infrastructure like wastewater pipes are replaced. Some streets need to be temporarily closed or reduced to single lanes. If everyone prepares well and is patient, we can spread the load, reduce stress levels at peak periods and improve safety for everyone – drivers, cyclists, road workers, and pedestrians.

“Daylight hours are getting shorter, so we need drivers to take special care,” said Mr Gibb.

The Transport for Christchurch website has been developed as the one-stop site to provide road user information about significant travel disruptions and congested areas, so that people can plan their journeys in advance. The interactive map also provides real-time traffic flow information on arterial roads within the city area.

New SCIRT roadworks affecting traffic from Monday 23 April:

Centaurus Road, between Holliss Avenue and Landsdowne Terrace

• Closed to road traffic Monday 23 April to 20 July.
•
• Footpath access only while the wastewater main is replaced.
• Drivers need to find alternative routes .
• For more information www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/work/activity/1048

Rutland Street, between Innes Road and Westminster Street

• Closed to road traffic from 23 April for three months while wastewater pipe is replaced.
• Detours will be signposted.
• For more information www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/work/activity/1084

Main North Road, Northern Motorway offramp, Marshlands

• Reduced speed Monday 23 April to 4 May, from 80kph to 50kph.
• Road repairs on one side, but two lane traffic will be maintained.
• For more information www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/work/activity/1042

Week beginning Monday 30 April

North Parade/ North Avon Road intersection

• Intersection closed 30 April to 14 May to all traffic except western-bound traffic on North Avon Road.
• Wastewater pipe replacement
• For more information: www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/work/activity

North Avon Road, between North Parade and Chrystal Street
• Road closed northern side from 14 May to 8 June.
• South side open to western-bound traffic.
• For more information: www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/work/activity

Information can be found at www.transportforchch.govt.nz or check the SCIRT map for upcoming works: www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/worksmap

For a recent TVNZ Close-Up item on road worker safety: www.tvnz.co.nz/close-up/wednesday-april-11-4828048/video

SCIRT is a partnership between the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), Christchurch City Council, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and contractors City Care, Downer, Fulton Hogan and MacDow Fletcher.

ENDS

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