Taxpayers to help fund ‘crucial’ $75m Pages Rd bridge

Thursday, 14 August 2025

A new Pages Rd bridge has funding confirmed with more than $38m approved by NZ Transport Agency Board, and the remainder of the $75.5m costs funded by Christchurch City Council.

It’s been a bone of contention since the earthquakes, but an old New Brighton bridge has finally been given Government funding and the green light to be replaced.

The earthquake-damaged Pages Rd bridge in Christchurch will be replaced, with Government funding of $38.5 million approved by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board, Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager said.

The board endorsed the business case for the $75.4m Pages Rd bridge renewal project and approved co-funding from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), Meager said.

Locals launched a campaign last year highlighting the need for the Pages Rd bridge to be a government priority for funding.

“Carrying more than 13,000 vehicles per day, the nearly 100-year-old bridge is approaching the end of its life. As the main point of access between the New Brighton and Southshore communities, and the rest of Christchurch, there has been increasing urgency to replace it.”

The work is to be jointly funded by NZTA and Christchurch City Council and will include a replacement bridge, new T-intersection and traffic lights to replace the Pages Rd, Hawke St and Seaview Rd roundabout, Pages Rd westbound increasing to two lanes, underground utility upgrades, kerb build-outs, pedestrian crossings and parking changes.

The bridge was last strengthened in 2015 to extend its lifespan. As a critical evacuation route, the importance of the project was recognised with its inclusion in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

As the main point of access between the New Brighton and Southshore communities, and the rest of Christchurch, there has been increasing urgency to replace the bridge, says James Meager, Associate Minister of Transport and Minister for South Island.

It is the highest priority capital improvement project for Christchurch City Council, but until now had no taxpayer funding allocated to it.

Mayor Phil Mauger said confirmed funding was great news after Christchurch residents had waited years for a resolution.

“The Pages Rd bridge is the crucial link between New Brighton and the city. Short-term temporary repairs have kept it operational since it was damaged in the earthquakes but it is time for a more resilient replacement, and we are happy that the Government has come on board to help make this happen for the city.”

Meager said the existing roads either side of the bridge were also prone to flooding and erosion.

“This funding will also allow these roads to be raised and upgraded at the same time as the bridge replacement work.

“It’s promising to see progress being made, and I look forward to seeing shovels in the ground as soon as possible.”

The project is expected to move into construction once consenting is complete.

Detailed design work will start next year, with construction anticipated to begin in 2028. The new bridge and traffic lights will be slightly north of the current position, allowing the existing bridge to be used while construction is under way.