The first stage of the Lincoln Town Centre upgrade has taken a major step forward with Selwyn District Council awarding the contract for work to begin later this year.

Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract to deliver stage one of the project, covering the stretch from Kildare Terrace to West Belt. Construction is due to begin before the end of 2025, with early site works expected as soon as October.

The $10.4 million upgrade will transform Gerald Street, the heart of Lincoln, into a safer, greener and more vibrant town centre to support the township’s rapid growth. Lincoln is Selwyn’s second-largest township, with its population growing by about 10 percent annually since 2020. Gerald Street currently carries about 11,000 vehicles daily, a number projected to reach 16,000 by 2045.

Stage one works include:

• More than 50 new trees to enhance the green canopy

• A signalised intersection at Gerald Street and West Belt

• A 40km/h slow-speed zone for safety

• Cycle lanes and multiple pedestrian crossings

• A new public plaza on Gerald Street for community gatherings

Selwyn District Council Executive Director Infrastructure and Property Tim Mason said awarding the contract was a key milestone.

“We’re excited to move into the construction phase. This project is about future-proofing Lincoln with smart infrastructure, safer streets, and spaces that bring people together,” Mason said.

The upgrade is part of a four-stage plan to revitalise Lincoln’s town centre by 2030. Stage one is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

The Council has also awarded the $1 million design contract for stages two and three to AECOM, with construction expected to begin in late 2026.