That’s A Relief!

in General Motorways by Jon C — July 14, 2011 at 12:37 am | 3 comments

Christchurch has had some good news at last.
in fact Transport Minister Steven Joyce called it “very good news.”
The Christchurch Southern Motorway extension is still on track for its original completion date of early 2013.
He told Parliament:
“I was visiting Christchurch yesterday and saw firsthand the very good progress being made despite the earthquakes resulting in workers being temporarily transferred to other sites for emergency repairs, and the design also requiring tweaks to reflect changes to the land.
“The Christchurch Southern Motorway extension is still on track for its original completion date of early 2013. I take this opportunity to congratulate the workers and contractors on keeping going in what are really quite exceptional circumstances as they work to complete this very important project for Christchurch’s economic and social future.

“The earthquakes have probably made the project more important now than before. Traffic patterns have changed in Christchurch following the earthquakes, and the main southern arterials in the city are congested at peak times. This has caused frustrating delays for motorists travelling to the city, to the port of Lyttelton, and to the industrial areas in the south and east of the city.
“In addition, it is likely that growth in the western areas of the city will accelerate as people and businesses relocate out of harder-hit areas. The Government is determined to continue with the $600 million Christchurch road of national significance programme, which will create hundreds of jobs and help move goods and services as the city’s economy recovers.”

Tags: Christchurch