The Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC) is one of the NZ Transport Agencys Road of National Significance (RoNS) for Christchurch. The CNC provides access to and from the Christchurch CBD, Christchurch International Airport and the Port of Lyttelton. 

 

The CNC is a legacy project to connect communities and Canterbury businesses for generations to come. The CNC Alliance designed and built a legacy, not just a highway with NZ Transport Agency and Christchurch City Council (CCC). The CNC Urban and Landscape Design response demonstrated this commitment, infused with a significant range of features and enhancements. CNC is the northern gateway to Christchurch city, to improve connectivity, enhance the existing landscape character and create a visually stimulating and attractive environment. The CNC Alliance was a high performance delivery model comprising of client, design team and constructor. 

 

​As the primary entrance experience into the Christchurch City, the ‘Tōtara Highway’ design concept embraced and expanded further on the established Garden City character. An attractive visual design approach uses abstract botanical forms - Tōtara, Raupo and Kahikatea - representative signature species within this natural receiving environment. This visual character is reflected on a range of urban design elements along the corridor, creating a parkland experience for all corridor users.

 

A feature of the project was the high level of integration with the urban and landscape character of the rural, peri-rural and suburban receiving environments, and with local neighbourhoods and parks, local streets and waterways.  The new landscaped public corridor includes a 12km long separated shared use path (SUP) 3m wide for cyclists and pedestrians and a enhanced a range of  distinctive landscape elements that characterise the corridor area including Otukaikino Reserve, Belfast Cemetery, Styx River and Kaputone Creek.

The urban and landscape design scope included the planting of 608,000 plants (450 specimen trees), decorative bridges, 2 new pedestrian subways, 2 revitalised pedestrian subways, signage and artwork. Construction observation services were also provided as part of the Alliance agreement for the 3 year Maintenance Period to ensure the specified design quality was achieved on site.