28 January 2026 update

This closure period was intended to be from 5 January 2026, and to reopen under temporary traffic lights in early February. However, we are extending the road closure on Townsend Road until 20 February.

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The existing Townsend Road bridge is too narrow and no longer meets current safety requirements. With increasing traffic volumes, it now presents a risk to road users and is nearing the end of its service life. Construction will begin in January to replace it with a wider, stronger culvert that will improve safety, and provide a more reliable route for the community into the future.

The work will include

• Removing the existing narrow bridge/culvert on Townsend Road
• Installing a new, wider and stronger box-culvert structure
• Diverting the Southbrook Stream temporarily to allow construction
• Building new retaining/anchor block structures
• Reconstructing the road surface over the new culvert
• Installing new guardrails, signage, and line marking.

Timing of work

The box culvert sections are currently being manufactured so they will be ready for installation in the new year.

Physical work will begin 5 January 2026, when traffic volumes are at their lowest and the project is expected to be completed in early March 2026.

How the work may affect you

There will be a planned six-hour power shutdown for nearby residents while culvert sections are installed near the power lines on Townsend Road. This is expected to occur in late January, and affected residents will receive advanced notice before the outage.

Traffic impacts

Townsend Road will be closed between Fernside Road and South Belt.  This closure period was intended to be from 5 January 2026, and to reopen under temporary traffic lights in early February. However, we are extending the road closure on Townsend Road until 20 February. This is due to the following:

• Weather has delayed the project (due to unseasonable amount of rain for January)
• The road closure is more efficient and safer for staff on site
• It is a more efficient way to complete the project which will allow the entire project to be completed at the end of Februry (they should completed 95% of works by the 20th) rather than in early March as previously indicated
• When the closure is opened up there will be some minor tidy up works to complete, things like hydroseeding, line marking
• We are adding additional queue management measures for the evening traffic flow  to stop traffic backing up. Essentially we will have traffic controllers as required to manage traffic if they get to bad for the afternoon peak particularly at the Johns / Lehmans intersection - if this turns to custard they will manage it in the morning peaks as well.

There will still be queuing at Townsend road if opened under traffic lights.

The road is expected to return to full two-lane operation by the end of February 2026.

Residents living on Townsend Road will still be able to access their properties via either Fernside Road or South Belt, depending on which side of the Southbrook Stream they are located.

General impacts

Notice of changes in traffic management

We will do our best to give you enough notice to adjust to any changes in traffic management, please keep an eye out for more updates.

Hours

All work will be undertaken Monday to Saturday, between 6am and 6pm.

Weather

In the event of bad weather or for unforeseen circumstances, the work may be delayed.

Safety

Please warn your children of the dangers posed by road works. Ensure that they stay well back from the work site and they follow the directions of the workers.

Noise and dirt

Road work is a noisy, dirty business — but please bear with us. We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact on your home/business. Your cooperation and patience will help us get the job done as quickly as possible. All work will be carried out between the stated hours and over week days only to help minimise the impact on the community.

Easy does it

Bitumen, concrete and other road repair materials require a bit of care after they are applied. Please treat all new surfaces with extra care following the completion of this project.

Thank you for your patience while we complete this work. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

For more information please contact

Dominic Mansbridge
Project Engineer

Waimakariri District Council
Phone: 0800 965 468
Mobile: 027 827 2683
Email: dominic.mansbridge@wmk.govt.nz