Vehicles will be able to travel on Christchurch’s newest motorway from Monday 30 November.

NZTA is partially opening the 10-kilometre long Christchurch Northern Corridor to help bed in the chip seal surface ahead of opening all four lanes of the motorway and the adjoining shared path in mid December.

From Monday 3 November to Friday 11 December one traffic lane in each direction will be open. Northbound traffic can choose the CNC as an option between 7am and 4pm, southbound traffic can be on the CNC between 10am and 6pm.

Due to the loose gravel, a temporary 50km/h speed limit will be in place. Depending on the road condition, this may be increased to 70km/h. The lanes will shift during the day so that the traffic beds in all four lanes.

On Saturday 12 December, between 2 and 6pm, NZTA is planning an open day where people will be able to walk or cycle on the motorway.

After the open day, the motorway will be closed to allow the finishing touches to be put on it ahead of its full opening on Thursday 17 December.

The CNC extends the Northern Motorway through to QEII Drive and Cranford Street and is designed to make travel times in and out of Christchurch shorter.  It has been built at a cost of $290 million.