The closure of a 1.5 km section of the Heathcote Expressway has been postponed, with KiwiRail agreeing to allow the Christchurch City Council to keep the cycleway open temporarily.

The duration of this delay is yet to be confirmed.

Gates were originally set to be locked from Thursday until significant safety upgrades could be installed, following KiwiRail’s notice to the Council that the Scruttons Road rail crossing was unsafe for ongoing use.

KiwiRail had initially requested the cycleway closure, indicating that it might close the crossing entirely if the Council did not comply.

However, KiwiRail announced today that it would continue discussions with the Council regarding a revised closure date.

“We will keep working closely with KiwiRail on this project and aim to provide clarity for the community about how long the cycleway will remain open,” said Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Jacob Bradbury.

The cycleway closure was discussed at a Council meeting today, which was adjourned to allow further planning. During the expressway’s construction, KiwiRail informed the Council that it lacked the resources to complete the railway crossing upgrade by the December 2023 opening of the route. A temporary fix was agreed upon, adding chicanes, flashing lights, and bells where the cycleway meets Scruttons Road.

Following the cycleway’s opening, a new safety assessment identified higher risks than previously noted, necessitating an immediate upgrade.

“The Council has been working toward a permanent upgrade of this railway crossing, and we fully support making crossings as safe as possible for all users,” Bradbury said. “We understand there’s been frustration within the community, and we will keep the public updated as we work with KiwiRail on next steps.”

The cost of the upgrade has now risen to $7.2 million for both the KiwiRail crossing and associated Council road improvements.

“We’ve made it clear to KiwiRail that these costs far exceed our initial budget, and we will need to seek additional funding through the Annual Plan. Any final funding decisions lie with the Mayor and Councillors,” Bradbury added.

The Council expects the upgrades to take 18 to 24 months, depending on cost estimates, railway closure scheduling, final design approvals, and budget availability.

“As well as working with KiwiRail on a closure date, we’ll continue collaborating with them on design and finalising costs,” Bradbury said.