Construction has begun on the State Highway 1 Rolleston Access Improvements, a multi-stage roading project the Government says will boost safety and unlock growth in Canterbury’s fastest-growing district.
“The State Highway 1 Rolleston Access Improvements project will provide safer, easier and more efficient transport connections for people and businesses in the Selwyn district, the fastest growing district in New Zealand and an important gateway to Christchurch,” Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“The Rolleston Access Improvements project is one of the government’s Roads of Regional Significance projects and construction is now underway. Fulton Hogan has been selected by NZTA to do the physical works for the first stage of this project.”
Bishop says “The Rolleston project is just one of many transport projects kicking off before Christmas this year, part of the government’s huge $7 billion of infrastructure projects announced in July.”
The first stage adds a new roundabout at Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road on SH1 to make it safer to enter and exit Rolleston and improve freight access from the south. It also includes a pedestrian and cycle subway under SH1 at the new roundabout, realignment and widening of SH1, Dunns Crossing Road and Walkers Road, removal of the existing rail level crossing (to be replaced with a new one on Walkers Road), and efficiency upgrades at the Weedons interchange. Stage one is due to be completed by the end of 2026.
Stage 2 is due to start in the final quarter of 2026 and includes: a flyover connecting Rolleston township with business/industrial areas; improved safety at high-risk highway intersections; the removal of the two signalised intersections on SH1 (Hoskyns Rd and Rolleston Drive North); the extension of the two southbound lanes on the motorway to just south of the proposed bridge at Rolleston; a southbound service lane to access businesses and Rolleston town centre; and major safety improvements and upgrades to the rail level crossing at Hoskyns Road.
“This project is another example of the Government backing economic growth in the regions and helping fast-growing communities to thrive,” Bishop says.
The full project is expected to be completed in late 2028 at a current estimated cost of $180m–$200m. Design, property and consents for stage one are complete; NZTA says it will work to minimise construction impacts and keep road users informed.
