14 Dec 2012

South Island's first Road of National Significance opens

5:02 pm on 14 December 2012

A $140 million motorway has been opened in Christchurch and is set to provide a more efficient route between the central city, Lyttelton Port and the south-west of the city.

The 8km motorway has four lanes and connects the inner-city suburb of Addington to Hornby in the south of the city.

The motorway marks the completion of stage one of the South Island's first Road of National Significance.

The Christchurch Southern Motorway was opened on Friday morning by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee, who said the project was completed earlier than anticipated and under budget.

Mr Brownlee says given the damage and disruption in earthquake-hit Christchurch, it is a remarkable achievement.