Waimakariri District Mayor Dan Gordon said the community had advocated for the Woodend bypass for many years – and they would be pushing for the project to go ahead without tolling road users.
“It remains a critical infrastructure priority to improve safety, reduce congestion, and support North Canterbury’s economic growth,” Gordon said.
“We are pleased to see that progressing this project remains a priority for the Government.”
Gordon said he had contacted Transport Minister Chris Bishop earlier this year, “seeking clarity on funding, delivery, and whether tolling will be part of the proposal”.
“Our project remains on strongly advocating for secured funding without tolling and a clear delivery timetable for our residents,” Gordon said.
“We will continue to push for the project working with whichever government is elected.”
Waimakariri District Mayor Dan Gordon said the community had advocated for the Woodend bypass for many years.
In a statement, Bishop pointed to the congestion and safety concerns associated with the current routes.
“SH1 approaching Woodend already carries around 21,500 vehicles a day, around 9% of them freight, and that is expected to increase to around 28,000 vehicles a day by 2048.
“At peak times it can take up to 20 minutes to travel through the town, while heavy through-traffic makes it harder for locals to access shops, schools and other parts of the community.
“There is also a significant safety problem. Between 2014 and 2023 there were 280 crashes on SH1 through Woodend, including three fatalities and 25 serious injuries.”
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said $800 million would be devoted to the project in next year’s Budget if National was re-elected. Photo / NZME
He cited an estimate from NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that suggested the project would save motorists up to 10 minutes of travel time, reduce traffic through Woodend from about 21,500 vehicles a day to 8000, and reduce deaths and serious injuries by 78%.
Bishop said $800m would be devoted to the project in next year’s Budget if National was re-elected. He said construction would begin next year.
MP for Waimakariri, Matt Doocey, described today’s announcement as a “huge win for the community”.
“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing from local residents very excited to hear the [Prime Minister] on the news announce the Woodend Bypass will be fully funded under a National Government,” the National MP said.
“[It’s] a huge win for the community who have fought hard for the Woodend Bypass ever since Labour cancelled it in 2018.
“I think of the public rally I organised in 2020, the petition I took to Parliament and the public meetings to hear from residents about their safety concerns – but it’s all paid off with today’s announcement.”
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since National today promised $800 million in the next Budget to fund the bypass. Photo / Mark Mitchell
In July, the project became the 27th project approved through the Government’s fast-track process and the second roading project to receive approval.
NZTA applied in December last year, with approval taking about four months after the appointment of an independent expert panel.
At the time, Ministry of Transport principal adviser Chris Jones said the project would unlock housing and urban development opportunities in the Woodend, Ravenswood and Pegasus townships.
“North Canterbury has seen significant residential and commercial expansion and the Waimakariri District has emerged as one of the fastest-growing local authorities in New Zealand,” Jones said.