How smarter transport infrastructure helped Christchurch, New Zealand move forward
Before the Christchurch Northern Corridor project began, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island was grappling with increasing congestion and limited transport efficiency, particularly along key freight and commuter routes. The existing road network struggled to keep pace with growth, leading to delays, safety concerns and reduced accessibility. Christchurch required a resilient and sustainable transport solution that could enhance regional connectivity, support economic activity and safeguard the natural environment.
The Christchurch Northern Corridor project was developed in response — delivering a new four-lane motorway, dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lane, local road upgrades and a 7.5 mile (12 kilometer) off-road shared path for pedestrians and cyclists that runs alongside the motorway and improvements to the shared path along QEII Drive. As part of a broader effort to strengthen Christchurch’s regional transport network, the project set out to deliver infrastructure that could meet the city’s future needs while minimising its environmental footprint.
(10km) Four-lane motorway extension
New and extended structures, including bridges crossing rivers, streams and local roads, underpasses and overpasses, subways and a full diamond interchange at QEII Drive
(12km0Off-road shared-use path alongside the motorway, linking Cranford Street, Belfast and paths to Kaiapoi and the Waimakariri
Photos courtesy of New Zealand Transport Agency (NTZA)
Jacobs played a key role in the design phase, delivering innovative solutions to complex geotechnical and environmental challenges. For environmentally sensitive areas like the Pūharakekenui/Styx River, we utilized a hybrid piling system — a construction method combining different pile types to reduce ground disturbance while maintaining load-bearing strength — to minimize environmental disruption and maintain structural integrity. Advanced stormwater management systems were designed to address flooding risks near the Cranford Basin, a low-lying area prone to flooding, while careful traffic management ensured safer transitions between motorways and local roads, incorporating shared use paths.
Working as part of an alliance, Jacobs, contributed to a multi-disciplinary approach that reduced costs and minimized environmental impacts. This collaboration delivered approximately USD 3 million (NZD 5 million) in savings while creating a resilient, sustainable transport corridor that met the community’s transport, safety, environmental and cultural needs, positioning Ōtautahi Christchurch for future growth. By bringing together this engineering insight and strong environmental sensitivity, Jacobs helped shape a transport solution designed to serve Christchurch well into the future.
