Journey’s end for work on Christchurch’s busiest bus stops

A major redevelopment of central Christchurch’s busiest bus stops is coming to an end, signalling the completion of the final project under Ōtākaro’s An Accessible City programme.

Under the city’s travel network improvement programme, new bus bays and shelters in the health precinct will be ready for use on Monday.

Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive John Bridgman says a section of Tuam Street has been widened to include three new bus bays on either side of the road.

“This means buses travelling west will now be able to pull out of the bus lane to pick up and drop off passengers, rather than stopping in the bus lane as they used to,” he says.

“East-bound buses will also have more spaces to stop in.

“This change will improve the efficiency of the service at what is the central city’s busiest bus stop, outside of the Interchange.”

The new bus bays have raised kerbs, improving accessibility for people visiting the precinct and the planned Metro Sports Facility.

The traffic island now holds a rain garden, more than 2000 plants and five trees, bringing more greenery to the central city as well as treating rainwater running off the road.

“About 500 metres of new kerb has been installed as part of the project and 35,000 pavers laid to link the area to the City Promenade,” Mr Bridgman says.

The project has been completed almost a month ahead of schedule.