[ad_1]
CHRIS SKELTON / Things
The Lichfield St and Cashel St blocks between Madras and Barbadoes streets may be permanently closed to accommodate Christchurch’s new multipurpose stadium.
Two sections of the road in central Christchurch have been permanently closed and other temporary closures are causing traffic chaos.
The first road closures have gone into effect for the city’s long-awaited $ 473 million multipurpose stadium.
It will accommodate 25,000 people for major sporting events and concerts, but it is not scheduled to be completed until 2024.
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL / Supplied
An artist’s impression of the interior of the new $ 473 million Christchurch Stadium. The investment case has been finalized and plans are for a 25,000-seat facility with a transparent roof.
The Christchurch City Council has closed Cashel and Lichfield streets between Madras and Barbadoes streets so that lights, power and internet cables and underground service pipes can be removed or diverted before the first works begin.
READ MORE:
* Buildings demolished at the Christchurch stadium site
* Small section of Christchurch Cathedral Square to be turned into lawn
* Made adjustments to ease congestion on Manchester St in Christchurch and further changes are likely
* Mike Yardley: Christchurch’s CBD Revival Makes Laggards Look Even Worse
The right lanes of Barbadoes and Madras streets have also been temporarily closed, between Tuam and Hereford streets, with no word yet on when they will reopen.
The council’s vertical capital delivery manager, Alistair Pearson, said drivers who regularly use Cashel and Lichfield streets will need to travel on Tuam or Hereford streets.
Lane closures on Barbadoes and Madras streets could also affect traffic congestion during rush hours, he said.
“We recognize that this could be inconvenient for people, but we need to close these roads in order to advance the incredible asset that will be the Canterbury multipurpose field for Christchurch.”
Pearson said the closed stretches of Cashel and Lichfield streets were unlikely to reopen.
Shortly before 9 a.m. On Tuesday, Hereford St was in disarray, with cars jammed from Fitzgerald St to Latimer Square.
CHRIS SKELTON / Things
Road closures around Madras, Cashel, Lichfield and Barbadoes streets are causing traffic congestion during rush hours.
Drivers could be observed having to merge into the turn lanes next to the Transitional Cathedral blindly, unable to see if there was oncoming traffic in the other lane.
Christchurch city missionary Matthew Mark, who lives at the Hereford St night shelter, said no one from the council informed them of the closures beforehand.
I didn’t expect it to be a major security issue.
Joseph Johnson / Stuff
Traffic on Madras St in central Christchurch during the evening rush.
“We are not really seeing any negative impacts so far, there is only a slight delay in some of our deliveries.”
Mark said he was confident that the arena would become an asset to Christchurch.
“It may have a little impact in terms of noise, but hopefully we can enjoy concerts indirectly with our whānau.”
