SH1 Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass

Project update

4 December 2025

A first look at the proposed future motorway

We’ve created a fly-through video to show the design for the proposed new Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass.

This video gives you a visual idea of what the new motorway could look like. It shows the proposed alignment within the approved designation and highlights key features of the design. 

It starts south of Ohoka Road, before heading north along the proposed new four lane section of motorway between the SH71 Lineside Road interchange and the Williams Street interchange at Pineacres.

From the Williams Street interchange, it heads along the Woodend bypass which travels east around the Woodend Township towards the Pegasus interchange at Bob Robertson Drive and Pegasus Boulevard. It finishes just north of Wards Road.

The design is still a work in progress. Major elements like the layout and key features like interchanges and bridges are mostly confirmed, but finer details are still being worked through.

While the overall look and feel won’t change much from here, this video is indicative only, not the final version. 

Local engagement highlights

We recently held two drop-in sessions in Woodend and Kaiapoi for residents living near the motorway route.

These sessions gave neighbours a chance to:

• See the halfway-point design drawings
• Understand how the motorway will connect with local roads
• Learn about changes to driveways and property access
• Hear about environmental considerations like noise, stormwater, and landscaping
• Meet the project team and ask questions.

We also joined the Community Cuppa sessions in Woodend and Pegasus, where we had lots of great interest in the project and some really valuable conversations.

We’d like to thank everyone who came along, asked questions and shared their feedback.

We’re planning community drop-in sessions in the New Year. Keep an eye on future newsletters for dates and details.

You can view design visuals and updates on our webpage: nzta.govt.nz/b2p

What's happening next?

We’re now working towards completion of detailed design, expected by the end of this year. This will give everyone a clear picture of what the finished project will look like and how it will be built. It’s where we add the finishing touches, including:

• Final drawings and specifications
• Detailed materials and construction methods
• Getting ready for construction

We’re working on the Early Works Package consenting approvals and aim to start this work in early 2026.

The project already has a route designation in place. Next, we’ll apply for remaining consents and approvals under the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 (FTAA) – a new law that speeds up approvals for regionally or nationally significant projects.

So far funding has been approved for design, consenting, property and the Early Works Package. We plan to apply for construction funding for the main works package once detailed design is complete.

Final geotechnical investigations near Cam River/Ruataniwha

We’ll be completing final geotechnical testing on both sides of State Highway 1 near the river from Monday 8 December. The work itself is off the highway, however temporary traffic management will include speed restrictions, shoulder closures, and lane shifts.

People travelling through may notice drilling rigs and a small excavator at the test sites beside the highway.

Site preparation starts 8 December, testing begins 10 December, and drilling from 15 December, with all work finished by 19 December (weather permitting). Work within the site will be undertaken between 7.30am–5.30pm and traffic management and machine delivery on the state highway will take place between 5am and 7.30am and 6.30pm and 9.30pm.

More information

Visit our website nzta.govt.nz/b2p  for more information on the SH1 Belfast to Pegasus motorway and Woodend Bypass

Contact us at b2p@nzta.govt.nz