A sizeable contract awarded to Downer for major changes to central Christchurch’s roads
has been signed.
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority acting CEO John Ombler says work to widen Manchester Street and turn the central arterial route into a boulevard is part of the next phase of its “accessible city plan,” and is focused on transport.
The contract also includes street improvements for Cambridge Terrace and Durham Street, plus work around Hospital Corner.
The transport plan has focused on addressing future congestion, which will grow with the addition of central city residences, says Ombler, with research showing that current traffic patterns will mean 70,000 extra cars on the roads by 2020.
“This is all part of the big picture to slow the city core down and make it a destination rather than a through-route,” he says.
“And it’s important to do that now as we implement the redesign of the central city, so that we get ahead of the issues that other major cities have.”
