12 December 2014

Three more Central City transport projects approved

Christchurch’s Central City travel network is getting another boost, with three Central City transport projects given the go-ahead.

Christchurch City Council today gave its approval for designs and associated traffic operational changes for three Central City transport projects under the umbrella of An Accessible City – the transport chapter of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan.

An Accessible City is being delivered by the Council and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, and has been developed in partnership with the New Zealand Transport Agency, Environment Canterbury (ECan) and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee Chair, Councillor Phil Clearwater says, “The decision to approve the north-side location of the west-east separated cycle facility on Tuam Street was a particularly difficult and hotly-debated one for Councillors as there is no easy answer to managing the competing needs of buses, cyclists and pedestrians. However, the proposed north-side cycleway delivers the most balanced solution for a safe, connected travel option that will help cyclists, pedestrians and buses alike from when the new Bus Interchange opens in the winter of next year.

“With this decision to approve these projects we can look forward to the pace picking up in 2015 for the delivery of our new Central City travel network.

“The transport projects for Colombo, Lichfield and Tuam streets – including a section of Manchester Street – deliver a suite of improvements for all kinds of travel. Changes support the overall vision of improved bus and traffic movements, separated cycle facilities on Tuam Street connecting to major cycleway projects at Antigua and High streets, and the renewal of Colombo Street as a pedestrian and cycle-friendly-friendly space. Lichfield Street will also return to two-way traffic operations to service the new Retail Precinct, Bus Interchange and Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.

“With these projects people will also start to see a greener city emerge, with tree plantings and landscaping – one of the key themes from community feedback at the Council-led 2011 ‘Share an Idea’ campaign,” Councillor Clearwater says.

Christchurch Central Development Unit Director Warwick Isaacs says these latest projects move the Central City closer to an area that works well for all modes of travel.

“These changes will make it easier for everyone to move around what will be three very busy areas in the Retail Precinct, Bus Interchange and Justice and Emergency Services Precinct. The fact that everything so is close, and it is so easy to connect to different areas, will make it much more appealing to spend time in the Central City.”

From An Accessible City a number of First Phase transport projects have been identified. The Crown and Christchurch City Council have committed $72 million for transport projects for the new transport chapter.

Work begins 12 January 2015, with access to Tuam Street from Durham Street maintained while works in that area are underway. Other early road works will happen progressively from now until winter 2015 when the new Bus Interchange is due to open.

Roading changes will be made at Colombo Street from Hereford Street to St Asaph Street, Lichfield Street from Durham Street to Manchester Street and Tuam Street
from Durham Street to Barbadoes Street, including Manchester Street from Lichfield to St Asaph streets. Key permanent changes include:

Colombo Street:
• Colombo Street works will enable it to be converted into a 30 km/h slow speed street as part of a separate project later in 2015.
• Separated ‘Copenhagen-style’ cycle lanes on both sides of Colombo Street between St Asaph and Lichfield streets.

Lichfield Street:
• Lichfield Street converted from one-way to two-way just east of the Cambridge Terrace / Durham Street intersection to Manchester Street intersection.
• Lichfield Street will be the preferred route into the Retail Precinct parking, and the northern access to the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, along with the northern access to the new Bus Interchange.
• Signal control and electronic warning arrangements to maximise safety across the new Bus Interchange access from Lichfield Street.
• Pedestrian ‘Barnes Dance’-style pedestrian crossing phase at the intersection of Colombo and Lichfield streets to reduce conflict with key cycle and walking routes along Colombo Street and pedestrian flows from the Bus Interchange plaza.

Tuam Street:
• Tuam Street converted to one-way west to east between Durham and Barbadoes streets.
• A new separated cycle route along its northern side.
• Signal control and electronic warning arrangements to maximise pedestrian and cyclists’ safety across the new Bus Interchange access from Tuam Street.

Manchester Street – from Lichfield to St Asaph streets:
• Cycle lanes retained on both sides of the street.
• Lane changes to accommodate buses turning into Lichfield Street and St Asaph Street.

Further information about these transport projects is available online at www.ccc.govt.nz/AACtransportprojects

General information about the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan and An Accessible City can be found at www.ccdu.govt.nz/the-plan

ENDS

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