Government funding has been confirmed for the long-awaited replacement of Christchurch’s earthquake-damaged Pages Road bridge.
Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the NZ Transport Agency Board had approved $38.5 million in co-funding from the National Land Transport Fund for the $75.4 million renewal project.
Last year the Government initially indicated it will contribute $13 million in preimplantation funding.
The nearly 100-year-old bridge carries more than 13,000 vehicles a day and is the main link between the New Brighton and Southshore communities and the rest of the city. It was last strengthened in 2015 but is now nearing the end of its life.
Pages Road Bridge
“As the main point of access for these communities and a critical evacuation route, replacing this bridge has become increasingly urgent,” Meager said. “The existing roads either side of the bridge are also prone to flooding and erosion, so the funding will allow these to be raised and upgraded as part of the project.”
The Government included the bridge renewal in the 2024–27 National Land Transport Programme, recognising it as the highest-priority capital improvement project for Christchurch City Council. Until now, there had been no taxpayer funding allocated.
Minister for the South Island James Meager
Christchurch City Council expects construction to begin once consenting is completed.
Meager thanked local residents for their continued advocacy, calling the decision “a major step toward getting shovels in the ground as soon as possible.”
The funding follows last year’s Government announcement that the bridge replacement would proceed.
Coastal Ward Councillor Celeste Donovan said “after years of community advocacy and council work, we’ve secured $38.5m in NZTA funding for the Pages Road Bridge.
Celeste Donovan / photo: Facebook
“As the local Councillor, this has been one of my top priorities since being elected. We kept it in the Long-Term Plan, pushed it back near the top of the Regional Land Transport Plan, I chaired the Hearings Panel to deliver the final plan, and got unanimous Council approval.
This funding means a safer, stronger, better-connected east, improving daily travel, speeding up tsunami evacuation, and supporting neighbourhood and business regeneration.”
