Rolleston Access Improvements Project Update

6 June 2024

Design underway for Rolleston Access Improvements

We’ve updated our plans for improving access and efficiency around SH1 Rolleston. This follows on from the investigations and public consultation carried out during the project business case, which wrapped up in late 2023.

The main features of the design are:

• A new two-lane roundabout with a walking and cycling subway at the intersection of SH1 with Dunns Crossing and Walkers Roads.
• A flyover connecting the residential and industrial areas of Rolleston. The flyover includes facilities for walking and cycling.
• Safety improvements to intersections along SH1 through Rolleston including left out only at Hoskyns Road, and left in/left out only at Tennyson Street, Brookside Road and Rolleston Drive South.
• A service lane from the southbound off-ramp from Rolleston Drive North to provide left-in access to McDonalds, BP and Tennyson Street.
• Removal of the southbound merge lane at the end of the Christchurch Southern Motorway on SH1, north of Rolleston. This will extend two lanes from the Weedons Ross Road interchange to just south of the new flyover.

The design stage prepares the project for construction. This includes working through the planning and consents process, as well as continuing discussions with property or business owners within the project area where access or the road layout may change.

Design, consenting and property purchase is likely to take 18 months, with construction currently programmed to start in late 2025.

Dunns Crossing and Walkers Roads intersection with State Highway 1

A new two-lane roundabout will be designed with a pedestrian and cycling subway/underpass under the state highway. This will connect with existing or planned shared use or cycle paths.

Getting into and out of Rolleston and the Industrial Area

From Christchurch 
The Weedons Interchange will be the main northern access to the industrial area for large trucks. We anticipate that other vehicles heading to the northern end of Rolleston will also use the Interchange. Vehicles from Christchurch can use the new off-ramp onto Rolleston Drive North or the left turns into Tennyson Street or Brookside Road to enter Rolleston township.

From the south

The roundabout at the Dunns Crossing Road and Walkers Road intersection with State Highway 1 becomes the key southern freight route into and from the industrial area via Walkers Road

People travelling to residential areas and Rolleston township from the south will turn right at the roundabout and enter via Dunns Crossing Road and Brookside or Lowes Road. 

Flyover and off-ramp

A direct flyover connecting Rolleston township with the business and industrial area will be built.

The design is future proofed for growth and improves safety at high-risk highway intersections by creating left-in/left-out only at Rolleston Drive South, Brookside Road and Tennyson Street. A southbound service lane provides access to Rolleston Town Centre and businesses beside the highway.

There is a free left-turn from Hoskyns Road onto the highway (over the rail crossing) and into its own lane on the motorway.

Checking for underground services

In June potholing will begin. This is to check for the location of underground services along the state highway and in other locations within the project area.

More information

For more information see our website and sign up for the newsletter. 

For specific questions email rollestonaccess@nzta.govt.nz