The first sod has been turned in a $730 million upgrade to the highways leading into and around Christchurch.
The motorway system is one of seven roads of national significance identified by the Government.
The first phase of the upgrade is the Christchurch southern motorway extension, which will take three years to build.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the project will develop better access to the city centre and Port Lyttelton and bypass Templeton and the industrial areas around Hornby.
The overall project will take up to 10 years to complete.
