Planning is well under way for stage one of redevelopment from Straven Road to Clyde Road. Several Councillors say the street must demonstrate to visitors and tourists that Christchurch is the Garden City.

The road is also an arterial city access where traffic volumes continue to grow, so Council planners have to take both as aspects into consideration.

Transport en engineer Mike Calvert says the re reconstruction plan is being refined, however it has been agreed that a solid 3.4m median strip will be used so more large trees can be planted. This will allow for safe turning facilities to be provided mid-block.

The design of parking bays, footpath alignment, and landscaping are being carried out.

Extra money has been set aside for a high standard of la landscaping. Great efforts are being made to retain ex existing significant trees an and discussions are being he held with St Barnabas Church of officials about la landscaping outside the church. This will be the first city four-lane road that  has be been designed  around existing landscaping.

Further public co consultation over the changes will begin next month (April) then more refinements, arising from submissions, will be made to the plan. The engineering de designs will take up to four months, after which tenders will be let for co construction.

It is hoped that the reconstruction will start early next year and be finished in about nine months.

Stage two, from the railway line at Mona Vale to Straven Road, will be begin on completion of stage one. It will in involve much  less construction, as the stretch was up upgraded several years ago.