Contractors are set to hit pause on the upgrade for six weeks from the start of December, said Christchurch City Council transport planning and delivery manager Lynette Ellis.
“Riccarton is a busy shopping destination and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to get to where they want to go in the lead up to Christmas," she said.
“For that reason our contractor, Fulton Hogan, will be stopping work on Riccarton Rd from December 2 until January 5, 2020.
"The work sites will be cleared so that traffic can move freely along Riccarton Rd."
Fulton Hogan has been working on the Harakeke to Matipo Sts section of Riccarton Rd, upgrading and replacing about 1km of old, damaged sewer pipe buried about 4m below the road surface. Water supply pipes have also been replaced.
When the work on the water and sewer pipes has been completed, the road will be rebuilt and bus priority measures will be added.
Ms Ellis says the sewer renewal work has progressed faster than expected. When crews return to work after the Christmas/New Year break they will be focusing on replacing the sewer pipes under the busy intersections of Riccarton Rd and Matipo St and Riccarton Rd and Straven Rd/Clarence St.
“Once that work is completed, the contractors will continue with reconstructing the road, installing footpaths, bus lanes, a central median, landscaping and street furniture. This work is already well under way in sections between Harakeke St and Division St," Ms Ellis said.
“Unfortunately the sewer renewal work under the two intersections is going to cause significant disruption. We have timed that work to start early in the new year when traffic volumes on Riccarton Rd will be relatively light."
The work on the Matipo St/Riccarton Rd intersection will be done during the day while the work on the Riccarton Rd/Straven Rd/Clarence St intersection will be done at night to minimise disruption.
- The council will hold drop-in sessions where Riccarton businesses and residents can learn more about the work planned for next year. They will take place on Monday, November 25, at Yolin Church, 180 Clarence St, from 5-7pm, and on Wednesday, November 27, at Yolin Church, 180 Clarence St, from 10am to noon.
