Improvement works have begun on Halswell roads to make it safer and easier for tamariki to get to and from school.
We heard from the Halswell community, including three primary schools, that a number of streets were difficult for tamariki to cross on their way to and from school. A package of improvements(external link) was approved by the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board on 10 July 2025(external link).
Implementation of these improvements, which are being funded from the Minor Road Safety Programme, is being carried out in three stages beginning in December 2025 and due for completion by April 2026.
- Work began on 1 December 2025 on the Dunbars Road, Hindess Street, and McMahon Drive roundabout. This will be followed by further changes on Ensign Street and at the intersection of Ensign and Lillian streets.
- These works are being delivered by Higgins and are due for completion on 19 December 2025.
- Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract to deliver two signalised crossings at Dunbars Road and Halswell Junction Road, as well as the application of high friction surfacing to the roads to help vehicles stop and pedestrians cross safely.
- These works are being programmed for January and February 2026, when temperatures are more appropriate for applying high-friction surfacing.
- There will be road closures during the delivery of the work, and we will communicate more information to residents about these well before work starts.
- Work is still being completed on the design of the Sabys Road improvements. This is taking slightly longer than anticipated due to the lighting upgrade required for the islands on Sabys Road. There are also additional water and archaeological risk checks required for this intersection.
- We expect to have an update after Christmas on this package of works, which will also be delivered by Higgins.