Major Progress on SH1 Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Project

The New Zealand Government is charging ahead with one of Canterbury’s most significant transport infrastructure undertakings: the SH1 Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass project. This ambitious initiative, identified as a Road of National Significance (RoNS), aims to ease congestion, improve road safety, support housing development, and foster economic growth across the rapidly expanding Waimakariri District.

Geotechnical Investigations Now Underway

Transport Minister Chris Bishop, joined by Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager, confirmed that geotechnical (geotech) work began this week, marking a major milestone in the project timeline. The geotech phase, which will span approximately two months, involves drilling 70 boreholes—some up to 35 metres deep—and digging test pits across the corridor. These investigations are critical for assessing the ground conditions, including soil and rock composition, groundwater levels, and structural integrity, all of which will inform the engineering design.

This step forms part of the project’s detailed design phase, awarded in March 2025 to engineering firms Aurecon and Tonkin + Taylor. The data gathered will guide the scope of the early works package and support consent applications.

A Project of Regional and National Significance

Currently, the SH1 route through Woodend sees a daily traffic load of around 21,500 vehicles, including 9% freight. That number is projected to swell to 28,000 vehicles per day by 2048. Between 2014 and 2023, the route has seen 280 crashes, including three fatalities and 25 serious injuries. Reducing this toll and accommodating future growth has become a top priority.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board endorsed the project’s investment case in November 2024, greenlighting several key elements:

• Widening of SH1’s southern segment from two to four lanes

• Construction of a new four-lane motorway bypass around Woodend

• Grade-separated interchange at Williams Street

• Pegasus roundabout replacement with an overbridge and signalised intersection

• Seismic strengthening and widening of the Kaiapoi Bridge

• New bridges over the Cam River and overbridges at Woodend Beach Road and Gladstone Road

• Tolling mechanisms to support construction and long-term maintenance

Initial funding includes $68.1 million for detailed design and early works planning, and $37 million allocated for property acquisitions. Main construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026, following early works likely starting earlier that year.

Significant Benefits for the Region

According to the investment case, the new motorway and bypass could bring a travel time saving of three minutes on average, and up to 10 minutes during peak hours. Traffic through Woodend is expected to decrease from 21,000 to 8,000 vehicles per day. The number of deaths and serious injuries on this stretch of road could drop significantly—from 5.6 to 1.25 annually.

The total investment required ranges between $800 million and $1 billion, underscoring the scale and importance of the project.

Tolls Under Consideration

Under the 2024 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS), all new Roads of National Significance are required to consider tolling. The investment case concludes that tolling is feasible for this project and would provide essential revenue for both construction and upkeep. The final decision regarding tolling will be made by the Government in due course.

Strategic Value to Canterbury and Beyond

Minister Meager emphasized the project’s role in strengthening SH1 as a vital freight and commuter corridor linking Christchurch, Christchurch International Airport, Lyttelton Port, and numerous economic, educational, and healthcare institutions.

This infrastructure upgrade is expected to significantly enhance the corridor’s reliability, enabling faster and safer movement of goods and people throughout the Canterbury region.

Strong Local and Political Support

The Ministers expressed their gratitude to local MP Matt Doocey, Mayor Dan Gordon, and other Canterbury MPs, including Vanessa Weenink, Stuart Smith, Hamish Campbell, and Nicola Grigg, who have all strongly supported the project. Their advocacy was instrumental in ensuring the project remains a top national priority.

As Minister Bishop noted, “We’re committed to making this road safer and more efficient for everyone—from families living in the area to freight operators delivering across the South Island.”

For ongoing updates and more details, the public can visit the NZTA project page.