Government funding is set to release the ‘‘handbrake’’ on a Timaru section of State Highway 1.
Associate regional development minister Mark Patterson and Rangitata MP James Meager last week announced the allocation of $2.8 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to clear the bottleneck at The Showgrounds intersection on Evans St.
The $4.15m project would deliver a redesigned intersection with improved traffic flow, upgraded signalling, and safer pedestrian and cycle access, and the ministers say it should unlock major commercial development and create new jobs.
The remainder of the funding for the project is to be provided by the Showgrounds developer.
Mr Meager said the taxpayers’ contribution to the intersection upgrade would fix a long-standing failure that had held the town back for years.
‘‘No more patch-ups and finger-pointing, no more excuses and paralysis. Timaru deserves progress, not another decade of delay.
‘‘We have made a deliberate choice to step in where a critical state highway problem has dragged on for too long. New Zealanders elect governments to fix problems and support growth, and that’s exactly what we are doing. This is yet another example of our dedication to fixing the basics and building the future.’’
Mr Meager said not only had the intersection been a handbrake on Timaru’s growth, ‘‘It has been unsafe, inefficient and embarrassing’’.
He said construction would cause more short-term disruption, but it would be worth it in the long run.
‘‘Short term pain for long term gain, we don’t want to be back here in 12 months’ time doing the same thing all over again.’’
The funding is through the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Mr Meager said the upgrade would finally allow the longplanned second stage of the Showgrounds to go ahead, which includes 20,000sq m of commercial space and 300 longterm jobs, unlocking land that should have been supporting jobs and businesses years ago.
Associate regional development minister Mark Patterson said congestion at the intersection had been putting real pressure on locals, slowing down daily travel, making it harder for businesses to move goods and affecting the flow of people across the region.
‘‘This investment will remove a major choke point on State Highway 1, making it easier for families, workers and freight operators to get where they need to go.’’
The project would deliver a redesigned intersection with improved traffic flow, upgraded signalling and safer pedestrian and cycle access.
During construction, it is expected up to 60 people will be employed.
Mr Meager said intersection work was expected to begin this month and be completed by winter.
He said civil works at the Showgrounds were also to be completed by winter (weather dependent) and vertical works starting second half of 2026.
