SH1 Belfast to Pegasus motorway and Woodend Bypass

Project update

5 March 2025

Significant project milestone reached

In this edition we update you on progress since the NZTA Board approved funding for detailed design and early works late last year.

The detailed design phase is where we concentrate on the finer aspects of the project such as precise measurements, materials, technical details, and develop the designs so they are ready for construction.

In late 2024 we invited design companies to tender for this work. Since then, our team has been busy behind the scenes reviewing these tenders and NZTA can now confirm that a detailed design contract has been awarded to Aurecon and Tonkin + Taylor.

During detailed design, we'll build a better understanding of the local ground conditions, possible environmental and cultural impacts of the project, and prepare and lodge consents and approvals to bring the project to construction.

To get construction underway as soon as possible the project is being split up to design a less complicated portion of the project first. This is referred to as an ‘early works package’. Design of the early works package is expected to be completed in late 2025. It will include consenting and the construction contract for the first portion of work.

Running in parallel is the design and consenting of the main works which is expected to be completed in 2026.

Environmental investigations underway

We’ve started ecological site visits and surveys. These will help us to get a better understanding of wildlife and their habitats within the project area so we can take care of the environment as we plan and build the road.

As the new road will pass through areas of farmland and scrubland, we’ve been surveying the site for lizards and lizard habitat. This area of North Canterbury is home to the Canterbury grass skink, formerly known as the ‘common skink’, which live in the South Island from the North Canterbury coast, through inland Canterbury and the main divide, across to the West Coast south of Hokitika.

The lizard surveys will help us to determine numbers in the area so we can plan how best to protect and support them during our work.

We're also investigating groundwater levels and drainage patterns which are important to feed into the stormwater management and design for the new road.

A key part of these investigations is working closely with our cultural monitors from local hapū who use their mātauranga (Māori knowledge) to assess the work.

Site investigations and detailed design to start soon

With the design tender now awarded, design work will start very soon.

To guide the design for the new road, we will carry out a range of activities including geotechnical drilling, mapping and surveys. Understanding the ground conditions is a critical part of making sure the project goes smoothly.

From late March/early April 2025, geotechnical investigations will begin. These provide crucial information about local ground conditions, key ground risks, and help to better inform the design and project costs.

The work uses a range of techniques including topographical surveys and borehole drilling over the entire route, with drilling expected to extend up to 20m deep.

Most of the site investigations are on private property, or in discrete safe locations to minimise disruption to residents and businesses. We’ve been in touch with property owners where this work needs to be carried out.

Tolling

The Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 (GPS 2024) sets out the expectation that NZTA assesses all new state highways and significant upgrades to existing state highways for tolling suitability.

Revenue from tolling can provide another funding option for building, maintenance and operations of road infrastructure, reducing reliance on the National Land Transport Fund and protecting existing funding for other investment in the transport system. 

We'll share more details as the project progresses.

Speed limit consultation - SH1 Woodend south

NZTA has started public consultation on five proposed highway speed limit reduction reversals in the mid to lower South Island to check if people want to keep existing 80km/h speed limits, instead of seeing them reverse to their previous 100km/h speeds by 1 July 2025.

There are mixed views in the community today about reduced speed limits remaining permanently, so NZTA is consulting.

This consultation includes SH1 south of Rangiora Woodend Road to south of the Cam River Bridge.

You can provide your feedback about this change, and other changes, on this website: www.nzta.govt.nz/speed-consultation

Consultation closes on Thursday 13 March 2025.

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