Funding for a multi-million dollar extension to the Southern Motorway in Christchurch has been approved.
The $176 million extension, stretching from the west to the south of the city, will be the region's most expensive transport project.
The Canterbury Regional Transport Committee on Tuesday voted unanimously to use $142 million of government-allocated money to help fund the project.
The rest will come from Crown funds awarded to Canterbury in 2008.
The group's chair Jo Kane, says the extension is a significant step forward for the region.
She says the completed project will provide a quicker link to west Christchurch and improve travel times.
