John MacDonald: Forget four lanes on SH1, just fix the bridges

I had the joy of using State Highway 1, south of Christchurch, over the weekend. Which is a bit of a goat track. And it’s why there is a bit of excitement about the government announcing that it wants to look into making it a four-lane highway. At least between Christchurch and Timaru. Which, to many people, is a no-brainer. This is part of a wider study the government wants done into transport links between the ports at Lyttelton and Timaru. As well as a better highway, replacing the bridge at Rakaia and the role rail plays in freight movement will also be looked at. Which is only happening because it’s election year. So that, when the National, Act and NZ First leaders turn up during the campaign and people start asking them about State Highway 1, they can say they’re doing this study and kick it to touch until the 2029 election. But a four-lane highway - at least between Christchurch and Ashburton - is something that’s been talked about for years. Which I’ve always thought is a no-brainer. But - after driving down south and back up again at the weekend - I’ve been thinking, would it actually be worth it? Is it really a priority? And what other government funding we might miss out on? Not that we’re like a pig in muck when it comes to road funding. In the most recent round of government funding for roads, just 6 percent went to the South Island. Which, as I said at the time, was nothing short of pitiful. I wasn’t alone. Leeann Watson from Business Canterbury said, considering the South Island’s contribution to the national economy, the amount we get back in road funding is definitely out of whack. In terms of the government’s upcoming study also including the potential replacement of the bridge at Rakaia, we’ve had construction consultant Mike Blackburn saying that needs to happen. Sooner rather than later. Mike says it’s urgent because of the number of people moving south, buying houses in places like Ashburton and commuting into Selwyn or even into Christchurch. And that’s where I’m landing, too. I reckon we need to face up to the fact that we’re never going to have four lanes on State Highway 1, south of Christchurch. And I think we need to focus our attention on getting something done about the bridges at places like Rakaia. Not that I no longer think a four-lane highway would be brilliant. And not that I no longer think we’re being ripped off not having one. But the reality is, it will never happen. New bridges, though, are a much easier sell when it comes to government funding. Because if a bridge packs a sad, you’re shot. Yes, there are always alternative routes. But, especially when it comes to freight movement, the bridges between Christchurch and Timaru are much more of an issue than the two-lane highway. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.