$9.3 million dollar makeover for High Street in Christchurch

The Christchurch City Council is spending 9.3 million dollars upgrading High Street in central Christchurch.

Council Acting Head of Transport Lynette Ellis said the “makeover” between Cashel and Tuam Streets will create a more attractive area for people to enjoy, safer spaces for pedestrians, including an extension of the tramway.”

The cost for the High Street upgrade is $5.7 million with $3.6m for the tram extension.

$522,000 is budgeted for the Cashel Street work in the draft Long Term Plan.

The new tram route means the High Tuam intersection will be “simplified” reducing the number of traffic light poles from 20 to six.

The work will start in mid-July, with the most disruptive work expected to be completed in late November and early December. “:

“We’ll also be completing the section of Cashel Street between High Street and Manchester Street if this is approved as part of our Long Term Plan at the end of June.”

Key features of the upgrade include:

A 10 km/h speed limit.
Level paving across the road and footpath between Lichfield Street and Tuam Street, with a new paving pattern incorporating a Ngāi Tahu design.
Short-stay parking for shoppers and deliveries – P60 spaces, loading zones, mobility parks, motorcycle parks, and cycle parks.
A safer cycling connection between Tuam Street and the central city.
A “simplified” intersection at Tuam/High streets.
Feature lighting and new street furniture.
More trees including new planted areas at the corner of High Street and Cashel Street, and around the Manchester Street, Lichfield Street and High Street intersection.
Upgrading stormwater pipes along High Street.
Replacing the sewer pipe in some places along High Street between Cashel Street and Manchester Street, and round into Lichfield Street.

The tram extension will run from High Street along Lichfield and Poplar streets and then back up High Street. The new route means the High/Tuam intersection can be simplified, reducing the number of traffic light poles from 20 to six.

As part of the High Street upgrade, the life-sized bronze corgis that were first installed in High Street in 2003 to mark the Queen’s golden jubilee will be relocated closer to Poplar Street, beside a new tram shelter.

Before work begins Council staff want to hear from business owners and others who use the affected streets and is holding two drop-in sessions (with presentations at the start) at BreakFree on Cashel, 165 Cashel Street on: