Canterbury, New Zealand’s US$6.62 billion transport plan

A US$6.2 billion (NZ$10.8 billion) transport plan is now approved by New Zealand’s Canterbury Regional Transport Committee. The 10-year Canterbury Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) will include the construction of a second Ashburton Bridge and the Woodend Bypass.

A number of other projects will also be carried out, including improvements to the Skew Bridge located in West Kaiapoi and work for the Rangiora Eastern Link Road.

The plan is intended to improve transport in the Greater Christchurch area. The existing facilities are no longer able to cope with demand and the work will help cut congestion and reduce journey times. The population is expected to grow by 150,000 over the next 30 years, reaching around 640,000. Public transport will play a key role, though existing roads will also be improved.

New Zealand’s Government will be required to provide $2.64 billion (NZ$4.6 billion) of the funding required for the programme of works.