Riccarton Road bus priority work to continue next month

The next phase of the Riccarton Road Bus Priority work will start in June with the removal of the roundabout on the corner of Riccarton Road and Deans Avenue and the installation of traffic signals.

More than 800 buses travel along Riccarton Road every day, but currently jostle with other traffic meaning it can take anywhere from three to 30 minutes to travel from Christchurch Hospital to Westfield Riccarton.

The Riccarton Road bus priority work will eventually stretch from Deans Avenue to Matipo Street. The next phase of work will move west from Deans Avenue to Harakeke Street, building on the Riccarton Road bus lounge and bus lanes from Division Street to Matipo Street completed last year.

Fulton Hogan have been awarded the contract to complete the work around the Deans Avenue intersection.

This phase of work will:

• remove the Riccarton Road / Deans Avenue roundabout

• install traffic signals

• renew underground water pipes (stormwater, fresh water and waste water)

• reseal the road and mark out bus priority lanes to Harakeke Street

One lane in each direction on Riccarton Road will remain open throughout the work and there will be some night work required.

Council Transport Operations Manager Steffan Thomas says, "Consultation in 2015 showed the community is right behind better bus priority measures so it is great to get this project underway."

"The Riccarton Road work will not only improve bus reliability, but will also improve safety. Riccarton Road is a key public transport route and these changes will improve travel from the west of the city into Riccarton and the city centre."

"It is also pleasing to see the underground pipes being fixed at the same time to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and commuters in the area," says Mr Thomas.

Environment Canterbury Commissioner Rex Williams says "Riccarton Road has long been identified as an important public transport connection and we expect to see public transport users enjoying more reliable travel times as a result of this work."

"The work on Riccarton Road, combined with a new bus interchange and improved bus facilities as part of An Accessible City, will see a marked improvement in public transport services."

"Currently, more than 3000 people are boarding buses at the central Riccarton stops daily making them the busiest suburban stops in Christchurch," Mr Williams says. "Bus priority allows most buses to run on time and means passengers make connections to other services on time."

Mr Williams says that improved public transport benefits everyone, not just bus users, as it all helps the transport network move more freely whether you are in a car, bus or truck.

Once construction of the section of Riccarton Road between Deans Avenue and Harakeke Street is completed, work will continue to move west along Riccarton Road to Matipo Street (outside Westfield Riccarton Mall). It is expected all enhancements along Riccarton Road will be completed by the end of 2017.

ENDS

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