SH1 Rolleston transport improvements

30 June 2023

This project will improve safety and connections - including a straight flyover - between residential, business, and industrial communities either side of SH1

Next steps

Once the project business case is finalised and approved, we will start work on detailed design and gaining consents, which is likely to be in early 2024.

Construction will be in phases and is expected to get underway in 2024/2025, subject to funding and timing. 

Visit www.nzta.govt.nz/rollestonflyover for more information.

SH1, Dunns Crossing, Walkers Rds intersection

People have been asking us about the speed limit change on this section of highway. The 70km/h speed limit was a temporary speed limit (TSL) in place as a southern motorway construction detour route. The TSL no longer met the requirements of the Setting of Speed Limits 2022 Rule and so the 100km/h speed limit has been reinstated. To highlight this change in road environment, the network safety team has replaced the TSL with yellow/blue 'slow down, high crash rate' signs and safe hit posts/bollards approaching the intersection. The bollards create a visual narrowing affect which encourages slower speeds. On Dunns Crossing Rd, stop signs are now placed on both sides of the road to better alert drivers approaching this intersection from the southeast.

We will continue to monitor this section of SH1 and investigate whether further measures are required.

The roundabout which is planned at this intersection as part of the NZUP SH1 Rolleston transport improvements will improve safety at this location. The upgrades have been designed to support an 80km/h speed limit through Rolleston with flexible median safety barrier.

The NZ Upgrade Programme

Waka Kotahi is delivering this project, one of six in Canterbury, as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP) - the government's $8.7 billion investment in growing communities across the country.

The other NZUP Canterbury projects include:

SH73 West Melton

Installation of traffic lights, with pedestrian crossing phases on SH73 at the intersection with Weedons Ross Rd is making it safer and easier for people to get around the township whether they're walking, cycling or driving. Visit SH73 West Melton improvements for more information on this recently completed project.

SH1 Walnut Avenue, Ashburton

Safety and access improvements on SH1 (West St) and East St with Walnut Ave were completed late last year. This small, yet complex project, has involved replacing two roundabouts with traffic lights, and integrating those lights with new rail level crossing signals. Visit SH73 Walnut Avenue intersection improvements for more.

SH1 Tinwald, Ashburton

New traffic lights at the SH1/Lagmhor Rd/Agnes St intersection will make it safer and easier for people to get to the shops, local businesses, school and community facilities across the highway and rail line. The project design has been finalised and construction is expected to start this month. Visit SH1 Tinwald corridor Improvements for more.

SH75 Halswell

Installation of bus lanes on SH75 from Dunbars to Curletts Rds, will increase reliability and improve bus journey times between south-west Christchurch and the central city. We're working on the detailed design for the project. Visit SH75 Halswell Road improvements for more.

SH76 Brougham St

Planned improvements to Brougham St will make it safer and easier for people doing everyday things like taking tamariki to school, moving goods and travelling to work. We are working on the detailed design for this busy road including a pedestrian and cycle overbridge between Collins and Simeon Sts. Visit SH76 Brougham St for more.

More information

For more information on the SH1 Rolleston transport improvements project, contact us at rollestonflyover@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/rollestonflyover

Visit the NZ Upgrade Programme for more on projects around the rest of the country.