9 August 2010

Work starts on tram extension in Poplar Street

Work starts in Poplar Street today on the extension of Christchurch’s Central City tram route.

Over the past month, work on the tram extension has progressed on Oxford Terrace, between Hereford Street and Worcester Street and on High Street, between Cashel and Lichfield. Tram tracks have already been laid in City Mall as part of the revitalisation of the Central City pedestrian precinct.

The work in Poplar Street is being carried out this winter in order to limit disruption to surrounding hospitality and retail businesses as much as possible.

The Christchurch City Council approved the extension of the Christchurch tram route on 30 June 2009 and included funding for the project in its Long Term Council Community Plan 2009-19. The first stage of the tram extension, to the corner of High and Tuam streets, is to be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

The extension of the Central City tram route is a key project in the Council’s strategy to revitalise Christchurch’s Central City, which aims to attract more people to visit, live, work and do business in the centre of town.

Council Project Management Unit Manager Christian Anderson says work is so far progressing well on the tram extension in various parts of the city.

“We are working closely with businesses to ensure as little disruption as possible while construction is underway. When the extended tram route is operational, we expect it will bring many more visitors to hospitality and retail areas in the city south of Cathedral Square.”

A work programme is being developed for the rest of the extended tram route, which will outline when construction will happen on the different parts of the route. The project team will be in touch with local businesses and retailers once that plan has been finalised.

ENDS

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