The Government is prioritising upgrades to a busy Christchurch road as part of its Roads of Regional Significance (Rors) programme.

The Rors programme is a package of currently 10 transport projects the Government believes, when completed, will “support economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, improve safety, support housing development, and provide a more resilient roading network”.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced on Wednesday the Government agreed to provide funding from the Crown to the NZ Transport Agency to deliver upgrades to SH76 Brougham St in Christchurch as part of the Rors programme. That makes the road the eleventh Rors project.

Construction is expected to start in mid-2025, subject to approvals. It includes an overbridge between Collins and Simeon streets, which is expected to be completed within two years. Other improvements will start once property and consenting requirements are completed.

“Carrying over 45,000 vehicles per day, SH76 Brougham Street is a critical route servicing the commercial, industrial, and residential areas south of Christchurch. It is also the main freight route to the South Island’s largest port at Lyttleton,” Bishop said.

“In May last year, the Government confirmed funding for the pre-implementation phase only for this project. This funding ensured a no-frills and value-for-money approach to design could be completed by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), and strategic property purchases and consenting work could continue in parallel.”

Transport Minister Chris Bishop made the announcement on Wednesday. New Zealand Herald photograph by Mark Mitchell 

The minister said intersection upgrades and other improvements on the corridor will “improve efficiency and safety as well as making travel times more reliable”. 

“Once completed, the overbridge will enable local residents and school children to safely cross over the highway, rather than using the existing level crossing, as well as improving travel time reliability for freight going to and from the port. 

“Prioritising the delivery of roading investment across New Zealand is part of our plan to boost economic growth, and I look forward to construction starting on the SH76 Brougham Street upgrades as soon as possible.” 

Overall funding will be confirmed once a contractor has been appointed. The funding will be taken from tagged contingency set aside in last year’s Budget to allow NZTA to bring forward priority projects that otherwise were phased to start from 2027. 

The RoRS package also includes the O Mahurangi-Penlink road, SH1 Papakura to Drury, and SH2 Melling transport improvements in wider Wellington.