MEDIA RELEASE        
TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND CHRISTCHURCH REGIONAL OFFICE

12 June 2008

Safety and access improvements planned for Northern Motorway/Lineside Road interchange linked with safety improvements for Pineacres intersection
Transit New Zealand (Transit) is investigating works aimed at improving access and safety to reduce delays at the Lineside Road interchange, as well as looking at safety improvements to the Pineacres (Williams Street) intersection on State Highway 1 (SH1).
Data from the Land Traffic Safety Authority's Crash Analysis System (CAS) shows there are at least five accidents a year at both locations and as traffic increases these numbers are likely to grow.
Colin Knaggs, Transit's Christchurch Regional Manager says a project that considers options at both locations has been proposed.
"The first involves the construction of a northbound on-ramp at Lineside Road to provide a safer means of access to SH1 for the residents of Kaiapoi and the surrounding area.
"Secondly, at the Pineacres intersection, an option is being considered to modify the layout to have a left in / left out configuration with a connection to the SH1 southbound lane only.  Vehicles heading north will have alternative access to the motorway, including via the proposed Lineside Road on-ramp.
"This safety improvement will not preclude any of the Woodend bypass options that Transit is currently consulting on."
Colin Knaggs says at the Lineside Road interchange, traffic signals are being considered at both the existing SH1 south facing ramps and at the proposed north facing on-ramp.
"This will help with making Lineside Road the main access north from Kaiapoi. Linking the works at both intersections will substantially improve safety at the two sites." Said Mr Knaggs
Transit would like to hear from stakeholders or anyone who believes they may be affected by the upgrading options. A drop-in meeting has been organised at the Kaiapoi Service Centre on June 24th from 3:30 - 7:30 pm.
"People are welcome to come and ask questions," says Colin Knaggs.  "Feedback from stakeholders and potentially affected parties is very important to Transit when developing options and ultimately determining a solution."
Information packs on the proposed projects can be collected from Waimakariri District Council (Kaiapoi Service Centre) or Transit New Zealand's Website.

Lineside Road SH 1 Interchange Layout Option

Pineacres Intersection layout Option

Transit Media Release - June 12 2008