New tramway extension opens tomorrow

Electric trams will trundle down City Mall for the first time in more than 60 years tomorrow when a new tramway loop is formally opened by Prime Minister John Key at 10.30am on 12 February.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel is delighted the 1.4 kilometre extension to the tramway network, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, will be running in time for the Cricket World Cup.

"Now Christchurch is in full recovery mode, this new loop creates a figure-of-eight tramway, linking shopping precincts around the central city with attractions such as the Botanic Gardens and the Canterbury Museum. It gives visitors a unique view of the city rebuild while riding on a piece of our history.

"Getting the new loop up and running has required a concerted effort by the Council, the Christchurch Central Development unit, Christchurch Tramway Ltd, and the Heritage Tramways Trust. Such partnerships between central and local government, and the private and voluntary sectors will continue to play an important role in the city's recovery," says the Mayor.

Christchurch Central Development Unit Director Warwick Isaacs says that construction has been carefully managed to ensure Oxford Terrace would be ready for the trams.

"The trams are an important element of The Terraces and their presence will contribute to making it an exciting riverfront space. We've enjoyed working with the other groups to make this happen."

The tramway extension will carry passengers along Oxford Terrace, through Cashel Mall, down High Street to Lichfield Street. A special crossover junction then allows trams to make the return trip up High Street to Colombo Street and on to Cathedral Square.

The $1.8 million cost of completing the extension to the original heritage tram track route was included in the Council's last annual plan and there were more than 100 submissions in support of the project.

Work on laying the new track was almost finished before the earthquakes, but completion was delayed by demolitions and repairs to underground services. From 1 March tram services may be restricted at times to accommodate construction along the route.

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