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SH75 Halswell Road improvements

Project newsletter

25 October 2024



	Kia ora Aidanfield Drive at the Halswell Road intersection will be reopened to traffic this afternoon. Thank you for your patience during the closure, we really appreciate it. Because we can’t safely allow right turns, while we construct the other half of the intersection, only left turns into and out of Aidanfield Drive are permitted. This will change when the lights are operating. Please keep an eye out for the traffic management in this area. There’s more about this intersection further on. There has been a lot of activity throughout the project area with a continued focus on the installation of new, upgraded and relocated underground services including water, stormwater, sewer, traffic signals, power and telecommunication – about 3000 metres so far – boosting resilience for the area on these fronts. This includes the undergrounding of overhead power lines between Monsaraz Boulevard and Dunbars Road. This work is clearing the way for building the road, intersections and other improvements. This update includes what’s coming up, what else has been happening during the last couple of months including drop-in sessions for cyclists, and introduces you to one of the people working on site. Have a happy and safe long weekend. Ngā mihi/Kind regards SH75 Halswell Road project team

More on the Aidanfield intersection

In addition to the Aidanfield Drive intersection reopening, traffic can now drive on the newly built section of northbound road opposite Halswell Timber.

We are now working in the southbound lanes. Unfortunately, the ground conditions are proving to be similar to those found in the northbound lanes which required us to dig deeper and use an extra 6000 tonnes of material to strengthen the road. These challenges mean the work is taking longer to do and we now expect to complete this work in the first quarter of 2025.

We’ll need to return to the Aidanfield Drive intersection early in 2025 to complete the final and smooth surfacing, and line marking – the icing on the cake! This will require a short road closure, which we will tell you about closer to the time.

Although traffic light ducting has been installed, we’re not able to install the traffic lights themselves until the intersection work has been completed.

What’s planned up to Christmas

Queuing will be eased at Hendersons Road in November with left turns only into and out of Hendersons Road, which aligns with the final design for this intersection. Right turning traffic will be redirected via Monsaraz Boulevard.

Due to this change the number 60 bus will be rerouted. Closer to the time, information about the bus reroute and temporary bus stops will be available at the closed stops, or online at www.metroinfo.co.nz/timetables/updates

The ongoing installation of new stormwater pipes and services will continue at Rowley Avenue.

We’re coordinating our traffic management plans with the organisers of the two big events – The Christchurch Show and Christmas Show Parade - being held at the Canterbury Agricultural Park next month.



	What’s been happening Cyclist drop-in sessions The Fulton Hogan project team has been working with road safety group Share the Road to help cyclists and truck drivers better understand each other on the Halswell Road work site. Passing cyclists were invited to ‘drop-in’ late in August to learn more about visibility. This included the chance to climb into a large truck to better understand what drivers can – and cannot – see. It was also a chance to have a chat. “Cyclists are a source of stress for drivers as much as drivers are for cyclists, and it’s invaluable to be able to discuss the concerns and realities of both,” says Share the Road’s Richard Barter. “The drop-in sessions are a hands-on way of doing this.” From the truck, for example, following cyclists are considerably more visible from the right rear view (driver’s side) than they are via the passenger’s side mirror. “The key message for cyclists and truck drivers is to look out for each another, to be careful to consider where they can and cannot be seen, and to indicate their intentions.” Along with the cyclist drop-ins, Richard also facilitated some driver toolbox workshops for roughly 100 Fulton Hogan staff involved in the SH75 Halswell Road project. Using a simulated full-size road environment, staff learned about what safe passing and following feels like (from a cyclist’s perspective) when driving, and why people on bicycles ride where they do. Unfortunately, Halswell Road is too narrow for our work site plus traffic lanes, and a separated cycle lane. This means cyclists must share the traffic lanes with other vehicles. While cyclists may not be going at 30km/h, please be patient, this will only add a few seconds to your journey time.



	Crossing points Temporary traffic lights have been installed at 3 locations to help residents and school students cross Halswell Road safely. They are currently located at: 61 Halswell Road 132 Halswell Road across from Rowley Avenue 194a Halswell Road next to Hendersons Road Locations will change from time to time as work progresses up and down the road. Tankerville Road, Cardinal Drive and Warren Crescent We took advantage of the recent school holidays and closed the intersection with Tankerville Road to install new stormwater pipes and underground services. New services were also installed at Cardinal Drive and Warren Crescent (west) during September.



	Roadworker of the month Meet Barney who’s been working for Fulton Hogan for almost “30 short years”. He’s currently involved with maintenance on our Halswell Road improvements project. Barney’s role involves following crews and cleaning up the project site so that it’s safe and tidy. He also coordinates the site compound, organising the stockpiles and heavy haulage routes in and out of the site. Barney works flexible but consistent hours based on what the project requires including night shifts, and says he enjoys the work because of the variation – no two days or nights are the same. Barney can recall the releveling of Halswell Road a very long time ago. “I was a part of those works with the contractor at the time. I clearly remember installing pedestrian islands which the community had requested.” Living close to Halswell Road for about 22 years, Barney says that over the years the growth in traffic flows have increased significantly. Motivated by family connections both within the industry and Fulton Hogan, Barney accepted a job in paving with the company in 1996. Over the years his roles have included, chipsealing, stabilising operator (operating various types of heavy machinery such as mixers and rollers), watercutter operator (using a very high-pressured jet of water to cut through a broad range of materials) and foreman. Barney has worked on projects such as the CNC – Christchurch Northern Corridor, Moncks Bay Coastal Pathway, and Riccarton Road Upgrade. Although based in Christchurch, he has worked away from home on stabilising work for Timaru District Council, the Awapuni Racecourse project and other watercutting jobs. If you see Barney out on the road, give him a friendly wave.

Can we help?

Please contact Fulton Hogan on 0800 ROAD FH (0800 7623 34) Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm, or email cant.info@fultonhogan.com, to discuss any specific access needs such as nurse/doctor visits or Meals on Wheels deliveries to your property.

For more information

For more information on the SH75 Halswell Road improvements project, visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/Halswell

or email us at Halswell.Road@nzta.govt.nz

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