Improved safety. Faster travel. Future-ready infrastructure.
These were the goals behind the Russley Road Upgrade in Christchurch, a flagship NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi project designed to unlock smoother journeys for Canterbury’s growing communities.
We were contracted by NZTA as a delivery partner for this transformative initiative working in partnership alongside Downer and McConnell Dowell. Our role was to bring together planners, engineers, environmental scientists and engagement specialists to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that kept the programme on time, within budget and aligned with the project’s ambitious vision — all while minimising disruption to road users and the local community.
A project of national significance
Part of the Western Corridor (SH1) improvements between Belfast and Hornby, the Russley Road Upgrade addressed a critical infrastructure gap for Christchurch. The existing two-lane road no longer met the demands of rising freight volumes or the needs of a fast-growing population.
Key features of the project included:
- Widening SH1 to a four-lane, median-separated expressway.
- Replacing the Memorial Avenue roundabout with a grade-separated interchange to improve safety and traffic flow.
- Upgrading major intersections, including Harewood Road and Wairakei Road, for safer turning movements.
- New pedestrian and cycle underpasses to enable safe and convenient access to the airport and surrounding recreational areas.
Together, these upgrades improved connectivity to Christchurch International Airport and major industrial areas, enabling safer, more efficient and more predictable journeys for freight, commuters and visitors alike.
Collaboration in action
Delivering a project of this scale and complexity required more than technical expertise — it demanded deep collaboration from the outset.
Under the Early Contractor Involvement model, NZTA brought together all delivery partners early in the design process, fostering a shared understanding of project objectives and enabling informed, agile decision-making. We contributed practical design insights, programme management and stakeholder engagement support to help streamline delivery.
This collaborative environment allowed the team to:
- Identify cost-saving opportunities, such as minimising unnecessary ground remediation and reducing contaminated material removal.
- Develop a joint risk register, ensuring risks were allocated to those best equipped to manage them.
- Incorporate practical construction insights, improving constructability and project quality.
- Improve transparency around procurement and subcontractor pricing, building trust across the project team.
Responding to complexity with innovation
Midway through the works, the discovery of a historic landfill introduced new environmental and health risks. We led detailed investigations and worked closely with all our project partners to determine what materials could be reused safely on site. This approach not only reduced waste and transport emissions but also kept the programme moving without delays — demonstrating how sustainability and certainty can go hand in hand.
Other innovative solutions included:
- Using a large roundabout with traffic signals to maintain traffic flow during bridge construction.
- Close coordination with the Christchurch Traffic Operations Centre, ensuring safe and efficient staging that minimised disruption for road users.
- Reusing clean fill on-site, reducing environmental impact and project costs.
Designed for the future, not just for today
The Russley Road Upgrade wasn’t only about moving more cars — it was about connecting people and communities more safely and sustainably.
Alongside major roading improvements, the project delivered:
- Safe, accessible active transport options, including subways and signalised crossings.
- Improved airport access through strategic grade-separated connections.
- Infrastructure that supports modal shift and contributes to healthier, lower-carbon lifestyles.
These design features future-proof the corridor, unlocking long-term economic and social benefits for the Canterbury region.
Delivering with certainty and purpose
The project was completed 10 months ahead of schedule, thanks to robust planning, innovative thinking and the strength of partnerships.
Our global expertise, combined with a deep understanding of the local context, helped support NZTA in delivering a project that stands as a benchmark for what can be achieved through aligned vision, collaborative contracting and solution-focused delivery.
A lasting legacy for Canterbury
The Russley Road Upgrade is a powerful example of how collaboration, sustainability and innovation can deliver infrastructure that meets today’s needs while shaping a better future.
As the project owner, NZTA delivered a key connection that strengthens Christchurch’s transport network and economy. As a contracted delivery partner, we supported that vision — creating practical solutions, mitigating risks and helping ensure the project’s success.
Safer roads, better journeys and stronger communities will be felt for generations.
Read more about the value of Early Contractor Involvement.