4 July 2013 – Traffic update

Major work on one-way street, Durham St North/ Cambridge Terrace, one-lane for four months

A significant project of wastewater pipe work by SCIRT delivery team Fletcher starts this week at the intersection of Hereford Street and Cambridge Terrace (the old Police Station). Just one lane will be available for traffic past the work site for four months.

The work begins this week at the Hereford/ Cambridge Terrace* corner, with two lanes initally available until next week.

The work site will move north onto Durham Street North, to the intersection with Armagh St, near the Law Courts, over the next four months. The street will be one lane only around the work site as it progresses north.

In normal peak hour traffic, the one-laning of Durham Street can create waits of 15-20 minutes. Traffic may back up on Durham Street/ Cambridge Terrace, Victoria Street and Bealey Avenue, particularly for the first few days next week.

With 1700 vehicle movements in the morning peak hour on Durham St, 500 or more drivers need to choose a different time or way to get to work to avoid significant delays.

What can drivers do?
To avoid delays, drivers need to take alternative routes, change the time of their journey to work – leave earlier or later than usual - or choose another way to get across town, for example walk or bike. Barbadoes Street, Fitzgerald Avenue and the routes west of Hagley Park are alternative routes south.

Coming school holidays
The school holidays are from 15 July onwards, reducing the pressure for the second two weeks of this project.
• Fitzgerald Avenue is expected to be reopened with several lanes going south from Bealey Avenue by the end of the school holidays.
• Manchester Street is also reopening from mid July south of Bealey Avenue into the central city/ Kilmore Street.

Other ways traffic managers will help
To improve through capacity on Durham Street, side streets with traffic signals may experience longer wait times.

From this week/ Thursday 4 July:
• Two lanes will be available past the work site this week on Cambridge Terrace.
• There will be no right hand turn from Cambridge Terrace onto Hereford Street for about four days.
• Hereford Street drivers going towards the Police Station/ Hagley Park will have to turn left at Cambridge Terrace as the manhole work site will fill the intersection on the other side.

From Monday, 8 July, Hereford Street/Cambridge Terrace intersection:
• Cambridge Terrace down to one lane leading into the Hereford Street work site.
• Eastbound traffic, from the Botanic Gardens side, will be unable to go across the intersection.
• Drivers will be able to go west across the intersection along Hereford Street.

From Thursday, 11 July (approximately, once the second stage is completed):
• Hereford Street will be closed to through traffic for about two weeks.
• Cambridge Terrace will continue one lane past the work site.

For details and maps, please read the works notice http://strongerchristchurch.govt.nz/work/activity/3214

Retailers and the Ibis Hotel on Hereford Street are being kept informed about alternative routes and signs will also help.

*Note: Durham Street (Durham Street North) becomes Cambridge Terrace at Gloucester Street, then goes back to Durham Street (Durham Street South) at Cashel Street.

ENDS

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