Work to replace ageing underground pipes and build more cyclesways is expected to causes major disruption on Riccarton Road.

Over the next few months Christchurch City Council will have three contracting companies working on 18 different projects on Riccarton Road and the surrounding streets. Some will take a month or two to complete, while the major work on Riccarton Road will continue until March 2022.

Christchurch City Council General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory Services Jane Davis said “unfortunately this work is means they will be replacing old water and wastewater pipes in the area, installing new cycleways, and upgrading intersections to make them safer.”

“We will have temporary traffic management plans in place to ensure that traffic flows through the Riccarton area are maintained.”

“One of the biggest projects that contractors will be tackling is replacing the water and wastewater pipes underneath Riccarton Road, between Matipo Street and Hansons Lane. The pipes are very old and have reached the end of their life. Work to replace them will get under way shortly and is likely to take until March 2022 to complete.”

The pipe replacement work on Riccarton Road coincides with the realignment of the intersection of Riccarton, Ilam and Middleton roads and the upgrading of the intersections of Riccarton/Waimairi roads and Riccarton/Wharenui roads.

These intersection works are being carried out to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Contractors are also in the Riccarton area working on the South Express Cycleway and the Nor’West Arc Cycleway. These two projects, which are aimed at getting more people cycling to reduce congestion and carbon emissions, are scheduled for completion in the spring.

Other projects in Riccarton include:

• Replacing the old water pipes underneath Deans Avenue, Waimairi Road, Puriri Street, Maidstone Road, Ilam Road, Wharenui Road, Wainui Road, George Street and Division Street.

• Replacing the old wastewater pipes underneath Weka Street, Tui Street, Totara Street, Puriri Street, Wharenui Road, Field Terrace, Balgay Street, Milnebank Street and Karamu Street.

“The pipe replacement projects on the streets surrounding Riccarton Road are likely to take one to two months to complete and we’re aiming to have them all finished by Christmas,’’ Ms Davis says.

“If you live in a street where work is taking place, you will receive a notice in your letterbox with more information. You will get the notice before any construction starts and it will provide more detail on the work and the traffic impacts it might have for your street.’’