We’re building the northernmost section of the Nor'West Arc cycleway to make it safer and easier for people to cycle in Bryndwr. We're also upgrading wastewater pipes in the area at the same time.

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In January 2025, work began on constructing the northernmost section of Te Ara O-Rakipaoa Nor'West Arc cycleway. We're also completing wastewater pipe renewals in the area, installing a new stormwater network, making water supply upgrades, and completing a street renewal on Aorangi Road.

These projects have been programmed together to ensure a coordinated approach to work in the area. The work is being completed in three stages, with the full project scope expected to be complete by the end of 2027.

Stage 1 – Aorangi Road between Brookside Terrace and Condell Avenue was completed in February 2026. 

Stage 2 – Which incorporates Matsons Avenue to Harewood Road is expected to get underway in April 2026.

Stage 3 – Aorangi Road between Ilam Road and Brookside Terrace - is being presented to the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board and Christchurch City Council before it is re-consulted on. 

View the traffic impacts drop-down tab below for information on the current phase of work and associated impacts.

Work to construct the northernmost section of the Nor’West Arc cycleway has been timed with significant Three Waters upgrades, to ensure a coordinated approach to work in the area.

The construction programme began in January 2025 and is expected to wrap up by the end of 2027.  Please note: the small section of Aorangi Road between Ilam Road and Brookside Terrace will be reconsulted on in 2026. Details of how it will look will be presented to the public as part of this process. 

The work will be delivered in three stages.

Key works for all three stages of the project

  • We will be replacing old wastewater pipes on Wairakei Road, Aorangi Road, and Matsons Avenue, installing a new stormwater network, and making water supply upgrades.
  • We will be extending the cycleway along the full length of Aorangi Road and Matsons Avenue, connected by a short section on Condell Avenue. 
Visualisation Aorangi Wairakei Intersection

The safety improvements completed at the intersection of Aorangi Road and Wairakei Road included a signalised and raised pedestrian crossing and layout changes at the Aorangi Road entry/exit points that allow left-in, left-out only.

The cycleway and street renewal on Aorangi Road between Brookside Terrace and Condell Avenue.

The section of cycleway on Aorangi Road between Brookside Terrace and Condell Ave (stage 1) was completed in February 2026.  

The second stage of the project incorporates Matsons Avenue to Harewood Road and is expected to get underway in early April 2026. More information about traffic impacts for this phase of work will be shared once the contractor has been appointed.

Throughout the project, temporary traffic management will be in place to keep road users and contractors safe. Please take care to follow signage and reduce speeds when travelling through the work site.

The newly completed cycleway, footpath and berms along Aorangi Road between Brookside Terrace and Condell Avenue. 

The project is being completed in three stages:

  • Stage 1: Aorangi Road, between Brookside Terrace and Condell Avenue; this includes the Wairakei Road/Aorangi Road intersection. This was completed in January 2026. The contractor was Isaac Construction. 
  • Stage 2: Matsons Avenue to Harewood Road. Note: the Condell Avenue section of this part of the MCR is not being constructed as part of the Matsons Avenue works due to heritage constraints affecting the design.  It will still be built, but as part of the Condell Avenue Street Renewal due for public engagement later this year and construction is expected in 2027.
  • Stage 3:  Aorangi Road, between Ilam Road and Brookside Terrace. This will be presented to the community board and council shortly before it is reconsulted on, with construction expected in 2027.

Stages may overlap, whereby some work continues in an area while work at the next area starts.

The entire project is expected to be completed by approximately end of 2027.

Phasing of work

Each stage will also have different phases of work, marked by distinct changes in things such as the work area and the traffic management in place. We will send out Start Work notices for each phase of work, which will provide the specific details of the work and its impacts.

We'll keep up-to-date information on the impacts of the current phase in the tab below.

Hours of work

Monday to Friday 7am to 6pm. Some weekend work may be necessary at points throughout the project.

Who to contact for questions about the work

Isaac Construction communications advisor – Hayley: 027 323 0056 or email mcrnorwestarc@isaac.co.nz. 

Timeframe for the Stage 1 work (Brookside Terrace to Condell Avenue)

The major construction impacts are expected to be finished by late October 2025, with completion by late December 2025.

Vehicle access to properties

There may be temporary disruptions during construction. Please get in touch with the Isaac Construction team on 027 323 0056 to inform them of any access requirements ahead of time.

If a section of the road is closed, alternative access or assistance will be provided.

If you need assistance when exiting or entering your property, please signal to a member of the crew or contact them on the above phone number.

If the construction team need to interrupt your driveway access, they will advise of this prior to through text or door-knocking.

Sign up to receive updates about the work(external link).

Interruptions to electricity, water, or internet

We do not anticipate any major interruptions to services. If any are planned, we will notify affected residents in advance.

Aorangi Road (north) reopening to two-way traffic

Aorangi Road (north) will be two-way from Condell Avenue to Wairakei Road by mid-September.

Access to Wallace and Christian streets

Christian Street is open to two-way traffic, with entry from and exit onto Aorangi Road available. Wallace Street is currently one-way, travelling from Aorangi Road to Hudson Street. Once Aorangi Road fully reopens for two-way traffic in mid-September, Wallace Street will also return to two-way access.

There are cars driving the wrong way down the one-way system – what is being done towards this?

Our team is in contact with the local police to report any vehicles not following the road rules. If you see anyone putting others at risk, please note down their registration number and notify our team on 027 323 0056.

Water on street

Part of our underground work involves the safe management of extracted groundwater. This is the water seen on the roads which will be carried away via the stormwater system.

Turning movements available at the Wairakei/Aorangi intersection once complete

  • Southbound on Aorangi Road (north of the intersection): Left turn onto Wairakei Road allowed. Right turn restricted.
  • Northbound on Aorangi Road (south of the intersection): Left turn onto Wairakei Road allowed. Right turn restricted.
  • Eastbound on Wairakei Road: Left turn onto Aorangi Road (north of the intersection) and right turn onto Aorangi Road (south of the intersection) allowed.
  • Westbound on Wairakei Road: Left turn onto Aorangi Road (south of the intersection) and right turn onto Aorangi Road (north of the intersection) allowed.

On-street parking available for vehicles once complete

There are areas where on-street parking will be removed, but there will still be plenty of parking spaces retained. The plan has not changed since it was approved in February 2022.

The table below provides some information about the change in on-street parking. The measurements were done in lengths (m), with approximately six metres allocated to one car park.

The percentage of parking retained is approximately 52%.

On Wairakei Road, no car parks have been removed.

Section Existing carpark count Approx. existing length (m) New length (m) Approx. new carpark count
Between Ilam Road and Clyde Road 62 370 190 32
Between Clyde Road and Brookside Terrace 65 390 120 20
Between Brookside Terrace and Wairakei Road 60 360 140 23
Between Wairakei Road and Condell Avenue 122 730 410 68
Condell Avenue 28 170 30 5
Matsons Avenue 110 660 520 86
Totals 447 2680 1410 234

Intersection cameras

Yes, two traffic monitoring cameras have been installed at the Wairakei/Aorangi intersection to help the Council observe traffic flow and respond quickly to any incidents that may occur.

Te Ara O-Rakipaoa Nor'West Arc cycleway connects cyclists from Cashmere to Bryndwr, via Spreydon, Middleton, Riccarton and Ilam. The route begins at Princess Margaret Hospital in Cashmere and is currently open as far as Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre on Ilam Road.

The cycleway provides a safer route for cyclists to get to school, university, work, pools and gym, parks, and local shops. Making it safer for people to bike helps reduce congestion, lowers emissions and makes it easier for cyclists to get around.

At their meeting on Thursday 3 February 2022, the Urban Development and Transport Committee approved the revised scheme design of the Major Cycleway Route Nor’West Arc Section 3.

See the meeting agenda(external link) and minutes(external link) for more information. 

Speed consultation decision

At their meeting on 10 December, Christchurch City Councillors decided against proposed lower speed limits for streets associated with the Nor’West Arc cycleway

People could provide their feedback between 19 September – 31 October at letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/nor-west-arc-cycleway-speed-limit-changes(external link)

The speed limit on Aorangi Road, Condell Avenue and Matsons Avenue will remain at 50km/h.

 

Planned re-consultation 

A small section of cycleway on Aorangi Road between Ilam Road and Brookside Terrace will be reconsulted on in 2026. Details of how it will look will be presented to the public as part of this process.

Subscribers of our general project updates(external link) will be notified by email when the project moves into a new stage/phase and there are changes to traffic management and the work area layout. We may also let you know about key milestones we've achieved.

If you would like to receive more information about the project's progress from our contractor, Isaac Construction, you can sign up(external link) for their email updates, which will be sent more regularly.

Additionally, residents or businesses located within, or close to, the work area can sign up for the contractor's site-specific text alerts and email updates on the work(external link).