Construction has officially begun on a major upgrade to State Highway 76 (Brougham Street) in Christchurch, a project aimed at easing congestion, improving safety, and supporting economic growth.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop attended a sod-turning event in the city on Tuesday, marking the start of work on what has been described as a Road of Regional Significance.
“Congestion and safety on SH76 Brougham Street have been concerns for Christchurch for some time now,” Bishop said. “Projects like this are being prioritised because they improve how people, vehicles, and freight move through our cities, and provide significant productivity benefits.”
Brougham Street carries more than 45,000 vehicles a day and serves as the main freight route to Lyttelton Port, the largest in the South Island.
The first stage of the project includes the construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge over Brougham Street at Collins and Simeon Streets. The bridge is expected to improve safety for students and others needing to cross the busy road, including people with limited mobility. Fulton Hogan has been contracted to deliver this stage, which is expected to take about two years.
A second stage will follow and includes upgraded traffic signals, T2 lanes for vehicles carrying two or more people, new signalised pedestrian crossings, and a shared path along the south side of the road.
Brougham St upgrade graphic / supplied
Minister for the South Island James Meager also welcomed the project.
“I’m really pleased to see work begin on upgrades to State Highway 76 Brougham Street. This is a major piece of critical infrastructure not only for Christchurch but the wider South Island, and is essential in ensuring we can get our goods from A to B in a timely fashion – to bolster productivity and economic growth,” Meager said.
“I know the people of Christchurch will be excited to see the first steps of this Road of Regional Significance, which is a prime example of this Government’s dedication to invest in sensible infrastructure projects which benefit both our people and the economy.”
The project has received cross-party recognition, with former Labour Minister Megan Woods previously advocating for improvements to Brougham Street during her time in government.
Bishop said the upgrade reflects the Government’s focus on delivering practical transport projects that support safety, connectivity, and economic performance across New Zealand’s road network.
