14 Oct 2024

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A 57-hour marathon of works will see water upgrades at the intersection of Manchester Street and Lichfield Street largely completed in one weekend.

The intersection will be closed from 9pm on Friday 18 October until 6am on Monday 21 October to excavate and replace aging water pipes, as part of the Council’s overarching Te Kaha Surrounding Streets package of works.

City Infrastructure General Manager Brent Smith says the Council and contractors are working together to pull off a “super weekend” of work.

“We’re looking for any opportunity to lessen the impact on residents, local businesses and commuters as we work around the new stadium. Our contractors are working in shifts from Friday night to Monday morning to get the bulk of the works in the Manchester and Lichfield Street intersection done in one go,” says Mr Smith.

Lichfield and Manchester Street intersection.

Detours will be in place to help people navigate around the intersection closure to access local businesses or residences. To avoid delays travelling through the city, people are encouraged to take Fitzgerald Avenue or Montreal Street.

“There are also likely to be impacts on central city bus services during the works. Please check timetables ahead of travel,” says Mr Smith.

People can get the latest information about bus impacts at metro.co.nz.

“It’s a long-term project in a busy part of town and we know this can cause disruption. We thank everyone for their patience while we get the work done,” says Mr Smith.

The $34 million water and transport upgrades started in July and are expected to continue into late 2025. The upgrades are designed to support the growing neighbourhood in the city’s south-east, and the flow of visitors to and from One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha when it opens in 2026.

“We’re making good progress with the water works, with 90% of the watermains and 60% of the wastewater pipes replaced so far. This phase is on track to wrap up early next year. The first phase of transport upgrades is following immediately after,” says Mr Smith.

Christchurch City Councillors approved the first package of transport works in August.

Options for the final stage of transport works will be considered by the Council in November, when staff will present a report on the outcome of a funding application made to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to cover the costs of some transport elements of the project.

Learn more about the Te Kaha Surrounding Streets project here, and sign up for text alerts about the works from contractors Isaac Construction.