Multi-staged earthquake repairs to the busy thoroughfare have been testing the patience of motorists and causing problems for retailers in the area.
The job involves replacing and upgrading about a kilometre of old, damaged sewer pipe, which is buried four metres below the road, and then rebuilding the road to accommodate bus priority measures.
Fulton Hogan has been replacing the underground pipes and renewing the road between the two streets since February and was expected to finish in late next year.
But now the city council says it has been told the work will finish by August next year — four months early.
"Fulton Hogan have managed to get through the sewer work faster than expected so that means they have been able to fast track other aspects of the project," said city council transport planning and delivery manager Lynette Ellis.
"We realise there are still many months of road works ahead but we are really pleased that Fulton Hogan have been able to bring forward the completion date by a few months.
It comes after businesses raised concerns over how they would be impacted, leading to a meeting with city council staff and the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board before Christmas.
Solutions the city council and businesses came up with before work began in February was faster construction methods, additional signage to indicate businesses are open and where available car parking was made.
Ms Ellis said Fulton Hogan is very conscious they are working on one of the busiest streets in the city and that it is causing disruption for businesses, residents and those who travel on Riccarton Rd so they are constantly looking at ways to get the job done faster.
"Most of the work that is being done along Riccarton Rd is essential upgrades to the infrastructure, but we are also taking the opportunity to make some streetscape improvements and add some landscaping so we create a nicer environment for all road users,’" Ms Ellis said.
