Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is working with Ashburton District Council, iwi and KiwiRail to improve the intersections of West Street (SH1) and East Street with Walnut Avenue. 

Two roundabouts will be replaced with traffic lights, the railway level crossing will be upgraded, and walking and biking facilities will be improved. 

The project is the 14^th of the NZ Upgrade projects to start construction with three smaller projects underway in other parts of the South Island/ Te Wai Pounamu. 

Te Wera King, Upoko, Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Jo Luxton, MP for Rangitata, and Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown were joined by a small group of community leaders, and members of the project team at a blessing and sod turning event this morning (Monday August 16), marking the start of site preparation. 

See photo below left to right – Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown, Rangitata MP Jo Luxton and Te Wera King, Upoko, Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua:

Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships James Caygill says the changes will improve safety and access for local people, help reduce delays and make it easier for larger vehicles to travel through the intersections. 

“This is an exciting and much anticipated project that will make a real difference for Mid Canterbury people and all road users,” he says. 

“The changes will transform the two intersections. They will keep traffic moving and make it safer for school students and other people biking and walking to confidently get around as the district grows.” 

Map showing these two intersections with traffic signals – https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/walnut-avenue-intersection-improvements/walnut-avenue-intersection-map.pdf :

Ashburton is one of three growing rural town centres – including West Melton near Christchurch and Tinwald south of Ashburton – to benefit from a $45 million package of rural intersection safety improvements in Canterbury.  It is a component of the larger Canterbury package, part of the Government’s $8.7 billion NZ Upgrade Programme investment, designed to save lives and get cities and regions moving with greater ease. 

Contractor Fulton Hogan will carry out the work in Ashburton, with the project expected to take 18 months and be complete in late 2022/early 2023.  

The first couple of weeks on-site will involve locating services, testing ground conditions and clearing the site so contractors can begin to widen the road and carry out other works. 

A 30km/h speed restriction and other traffic management will be in place during the project to help keep road users and road workers safe. People are urged to travel through the site with extra care and attention. 

• There will mostly be two lanes of traffic available on SH1, with Stop/Go used intermittently.
• Work will be undertaken Monday – Friday, 7am – 7pm, with occasional weekend work.
• Neighbours will be notified if night works are required. 

Find out more about the Walnut Ave project: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/walnut-avenue-intersection-improvements/ 

The Canterbury package of NZ Upgrade projects: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/planning-and-investment/nz-upgrade/canterbury-package/ 

NZ Upgrade: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/planning-and-investment/nz-upgrade/

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthisland
• Twitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCWC
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Some delays are expected at times, and motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. 

Work sites for the week starting Sunday 15 August

• State Highway 30, Puarenga Bridge underpass: The Puarenga Bridge underpass is open with pedestrians and cyclists requested to take care as contractors continue with landscaping works through this area.
• State Highway 30, Puarenga Bridge: Contractors will be installing balustrades on the bridge and continuing to widen the shared path on either side of the bridge. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in off-peak times which may cause moderate delays. Intermittent westbound lane closures may be in place during off peak times which may cause minor delays.
• State Highway 30, median east of Puarenga Bridge: Contractors continue with landscaping works at the median east of the Puarenga Bridge. Lane closures may be in place during off-peak times which may cause minor delays.
• State Highway 30, Sala Street to Vaughan Road: The footpath on the northern side remains closed for public safety as contractors complete the shared path construction and landscaping works in this area. Shoulder/lane closures may be in place during off-peak times which may cause minor delays.
• State Highway 30, Tarawera intersection: Contractors continue to construct the concrete islands separating traffic travelling in opposite directions. The SH30/Te Ngae Road inside right-turn lane into Tarawera Road may be closed during off-peak hours which may cause minor delays. Motorists are advised to adhere to the temporary speed limit, with the current surface not having enough skid resistance for higher speeds. The temporary speed limit of 30km/h will remain in place until final surfacing is completed in September.
• State Highway 30, westbound Allen Mills Road to Anytime Fitness: Installation of stormwater services continues on SH30/ Te Ngae Road. There will be westbound lane shifts in place through this section, maintaining two lanes of traffic as per usual. 
• State Highway 30, Allen Mills Road to Iles Road: Pedestrian access through this section is for business access and residents only as there is no through access to the Rotorua CBD. See map below for pedestrian access routes.

Map showing the pedestrian access routes.

Temporary speed limits of 30km/h or 50km/h are in place for everyone’s safety at the above work sites, including when workers are off-site. 

Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use the signalised crossings at either Sala Street or Iles Road, and the temporary pedestrian crossing at Tarawera Road. 

In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience and understanding while this important work is undertaken to improve SH30 for everyone using the road.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)