Christchurch City Council contractor, Citycare, will begin work on the north-bound bus lanes along Main North Rd between Winston Ave and Sawyers Arms Rd, Papanui, in early January.
Layout changes will also be made to the entrance of Northlands Shopping Centre and new traffic lights will be put at the Main North Rd and Grassmere St intersection.
The entire project is expected to take about six months to complete and is budgeted to cost about $2.5 million.
The existing south-bound bus lane on Main North Rd, between Mary and Homer Sts, which currently operates at morning peak times, will be changed so it operates in the afternoon as well.
Said city council transport planning and delivery manager Lynette Ellis: “These changes are primarily about improving the reliability of travel times for public transport up and down Main North Rd.
“Main North Rd is one of the busiest streets in Christchurch and carries high volumes of buses taking people between the city centre and the northern suburbs.
"We want to give buses priority so they stay on schedule and provide a good service to passengers.’’
Ms Ellis said most of the work will be done at night to minimise disruption to businesses in the area.
Main North Rd will remain open to two-way traffic during the road works. But some side streets and lanes will be closed intermittently.
“Citycare will contact businesses in the area before Christmas to talk to them about the project," Ms Ellis said.
- A community drop-in session will be held at the Papanui Service Centre (entrance off Restell St) on January 14, 3.30-6.30pm, where people can ask questions about the project.
