New Zealand State Highway 73

State Highway 73
Route information
Maintained by New Zealand Transport Agency
Length: 231 km (144 mi)
Tourist
routes:
Great Alpine Highway
Christchurch Ring Road
Inland Scenic Route between Sheffield and Waddington.
Major junctions
Northwest end: State Highway 6 at Kumara Junction, New Zealand|
Southeast end: Tunnel Road at Heathcote, New Zealand
Location
Primary
destinations:
Kumara, Dillmanstown, Jacksons, Otira, Arthur's Pass, Bealey, Cass, Castle Hill Village, Springfield, Sheffield, Waddington, Darfield, Kirwee, Aylesbury, West Melton, Yaldhurst, Christchurch
Highway system

New Zealand State Highways
Motorways and Expressways โ€ข List โ€ข Unused

โ† SH 71 SH 74 โ†’

State Highway 73 is a major east-west South Island State Highway in New Zealand connecting Christchurch on the east coast with Greymouth/Hokitika on the west coast via the Southern Alps. It is mostly two lane, with some single-lane bridges north of Springfield but is mostly dual carriageway in Christchurch with some sections of the road currently being upgraded to motorway status.

Contents

[hide]

History

The route connecting the West and East coasts of the South Island via the Southern Alps were known for hundreds of years by the Mฤori people, due to a flourishing pounamu trade. The Europeans were informed of the route by a local chief in the mid-19th century but was not used during his lifetime. In 1864, Arthur Dudley Dobson traversed from the east to the west coast from the Waimakariri River, thereby discovering Arthur's Pass. A route connecting Christchurch to Hokitika was fully completed in 1866, with the first Cobb & Co coach began operating that same year due to the burgeoning gold rush.

As the railway was progressively built from both sides, the road was the only route that connected both coastlines of the South Island until 1923, when the Otira Tunnel was open, this signalled the end of the Cobb & Co coach in New Zealand.[1][2]

Due to the geography and topography between Springfield and Kumara, the road has bee subjected to several closures and road realignments, with both Porters and Arthur's Pass subjected to frequent closures during the winter months. The road between Arthur's Pass and Otira in particular was amongst the most dangerous in the country, due to the road located on scree slopes which frequently gave way. As a result, numerous studies were conducted into alternative options for fixing the road around Candy's Bend, Starvation Point and the Zig Zag. Construction of the Otira Viaduct and the protective roofs from slips began in 1997 and opened in 1999.[3]

Route

Kumara Junction to Christchurch

As of May 2010, this is the current route of the highway.

State Highway 73 begins 11 km south of Greymouth at Kumara Junction. The highway passes through undulating farmland, scrubland and forest as it passes through the settlements of Kumara and Dillmanstown. The road veers sharply to the left as it approaches the mountains to the front of the road. The road then hugs the Taramakau River as it proceeds down the valley. At Jacksons, the Midland Line crosses the river and begins to run parallel to the road. Just before Aickens at the confuence of the Taramakau and Otira Rivers, the road and rail line veers to the right and runs to the south before reaching Otira.

Beyond Otira, the road breaks with the railway line and crosses the river before climbing up towards the Otira Viaduct and Arthur's Pass. At 920 metres, Arthur's Pass is the second highest pass on the road and is one of the three alpine passes connecting the east and west coasts. After peaking, the road descends into Arthur's Pass village with the railway line emerging from the Otira Tunnel nearby.

After the village, the road and rail line runs along the Bealey River valley and crosses the Waimakariri River before veering left and running parallel to both the river and the rail line on the opposite side. Before Cass, the road runs along a bluff and turns right to proceed past some more farmland as well as Lakes Grasmere and Pearson.

The road then climbs up towards Castle Hill Village and runs through a valley before passing beside Lake Lyndon where it curves left before climbing up towards Porters Pass which, at 939 metres, is the highest point on the road. After cresting, the road descends into the Kowai River valley and runs roughly parallel with the river until it reaches Springfield.

After Springfield, the road emerges onto the Canterbury Plains and runs straight through the settlements of Annat, Sheffield and Waddington before arriving at Darfield. The road then passes through the settlements of Kirwee, Aylesbury and West Melton as well as dairy and lifestyle farms characteristic of the plains. The road passes by Paparua Prison and arrives in Christchurch via Yaldhurst.[4]

Christchurch

As Yaldhurst Road, the proceeds in an easterly direction towards Riccarton. The road widens to four lanes at Avonhead, but by Curletts Road/Peer Street, the highway turns right (while Yaldhurst Road becomes Riccarton Road and heads towards the city centre).

As Curletts Road, the road temporarily reverts back to two lanes divided by a flush median. After Blenheim Road, however the road widens again, crosses over the Main South Line and proceeds towards the future Christchurch Southern Motorway.

As the motorway, the speed limit increases to 100 km/h but the road narrows back to two lanes for about 1.5 km. The road then splits up to form Jerrold Street North and Jerrold Street South where both roads intersects with Barrington Street. The roads then merge to form Brougham Street, a major southern arterial road of the city, where it intersects with all the north-south roads of the CBD except for Manchester Street.

After intersecting with Ensors Road, Brougham Street narrows back to two lanes but turns into a small expressway, which it retains as it merges with Opawa Road just before the Garlands Road intersection. At Port Hills Road/Curries Road intersection the road changes name to Port Hills Road which it retains before the highway designation ends at a parclo interchange with Tunnel Road, though Ports Hills Road still continues beyond this point.

Route changes

Over the past 40 years SH 73 has been subjected to several route changes both in the Christchurch and the Arthur's Pass-Otira areas. In 1999, one of the worst sections of highway in the country (around Candy's Bend) were replaced with the Otira Viaduct. Meanwhile, in Christchurch, since SH 1 was rerouted to bypass the CBD, SH 73 was extended to Brougham Street/Waltham Road intersection, with the rest of the route covered by SH 74. In 2004, with SH 74 being rerouted to run along the Ring Road and the entire length of Tunnel Road instead of through the CBD, SH 73 was extended further to its current terminus.

Major intersections and towns

Kumara Junction to Christchurch

State Highway 73
Northbound exits Distance to
Greymouth
(km)
Distance to
Lyttelton
(km)
Southbound exits
End Otira Highway
16.6 240.4 Start Otira Highway
Hokitika, Greymouth
Kumara Junction Highway
Taramakau Highway
Greymouth, Hokitika
Taramakau Highway
Kumara Junction Highway
Kumara
Name change to Seddon Street through Kumara
23.5 233.5 Kumara
Name change to Seddon Street through Kumara
Dillmanstown 26.2 230.8 Dillmanstown
Lake Brunner, Moana
Lake Brunner Road ()
61.5 195.5 Lake Brunner, Moana
Lake Brunner Road ()
Jacksons 62.1 194.9 Jacksons
MIDLAND LINE 69.4 187.6 MIDLAND LINE
MIDLAND LINE 72.2 184.8 MIDLAND LINE
Otira 81.5 175.5 Otira
MIDLAND LINE 83.2 173.8 MIDLAND LINE
OTIRA RIVER 83.3 173.7 OTIRA RIVER
OTIRA VIADUCT 87.7 169.3 OTIRA VIADUCT
ENTER GREY DISTRICT
Name change to Otira Highway
90 167 ARTHUR'S PASS
920 m (3,020 ft)
ARTHUR'S PASS
920 m (3,020 ft)
ENTER SELWYN DISTRICT
Name change to West Coast Road
Arthur's Pass 95 162 Arthur's Pass
WAIMAKARIRI RIVER 104 153 WAIMAKARIRI RIVER
Bealey 106 151 Bealey
Mount White Road 118 139 Mount White Road
Cass 121 136 Cass
Castle Hill Village 145 112 Castle Hill Village
Lake Lyndon, Lake Coleridge
Lyndon Road
156 101 Lake Lyndon, Lake Coleridge
Lyndon Road
PORTERS PASS
939 m (3,081 ft)
159 98 PORTERS PASS
939 m (3,081 ft)
KOWAI RIVER 164.7 92.3 KOWAI RIVER
KOWAI RIVER 171.2 84.8 KOWAI RIVER
Kowai Bush, Waimakariri Gorge
Pocock Road
175.8 80.2 Kowai Bush, Waimakariri Gorge
Pocock Road
Springfield 177.5 79.5 Springfield
Russells Flat
Keens Road
Coxs Road
Junction Road
180.1 76.9 Russells Flat
Coxs Road
Junction Road
Keens Road
Annat 184 73 Annat
Sheffield 187 70 Sheffield
Waddington
189.5 68.5 Oxford, Rangiora
Waimakariri Gorge Road
Inland Scenic Route
Oxford, Rangiora
Waimakariri Gorge Road
Inland Scenic Route
189.5 68.5 Waddington
Coalgate, Glentunnel
Deans Road
Inland Scenic Route
190.5 67.5 Coalgate, Glentunnel
Deans Road
Inland Scenic Route
Coalgate, Glentunnel
Bangor Road
200 57 Coalgate, Glentunnel
Bangor Road
Charing Cross, Dunsandel, Kimberley
Ross Street
McMillan Street
200.3 56.7 Kimberley, Charing Cross, Dunsandel
McMillan Street
Ross Street
Darfield
Name change to South Terrace through Darfield
200.5 56.5 Darfield
Name change to South Terrace through Darfield
Darfield
Horndon Street
202.3 54.7 Darfield
Horndon Street
Charing Cross
Ansons Road
206.9 50.1 Charing Cross
Ansons Road
MIDLAND LINE 207 50 MIDLAND LINE
Courtenay
Ansons Road
207.1 49.9 Courtenay
Ansons Road
Charing Cross, Courtenay
Courtenay Road
209 48 Kirwee
Kirwee Courtenay, Charing Cross
Courtenay Road
Hororata, Burnham, Rolleston
Railway Road
Aylesbury Road
Bealey Road
Station Road
214.5 42.5 Aylesbury
Aylesbury Rolleston, Burnham, Hororata
Station Road
Railway Road
Aylesbury Road
Bealey Road
Rolleston, Kirwee
Hoskyns Road
216.6 40.4 Kirwee, Rolleston
Hoskyns Road
Burnham, Weedons
Weedons Ross Road
West Melton Road
222.7 34.3 West Melton
West Melton Weedons, Burnham
West Melton Road
Weedons Ross Road
Springston, McLeans Island
Dawsons Road
Chattertons Road
227.6 29.4 McLeans Island, Springston
Chattertons Road
Dawsons Road
Broomfield, Sockburn
Buchanans Road
231.8 25.2 Broomfield, Sockburn
Buchanans Road
Courtenay, Waddington
Old West Coast Road
232.5 24.5 Courtenay, Waddington
Old West Coast Road
Yaldhurst 234.2 22.8 Yaldhurst
Templeton, McLeans Island
Pound Road
McLeans Island, Templeton
Pound Road
End Yaldhurst Road
continues as West Coast Road
Start Yaldhurst Road
from West Coast Road

Christchurch to Heathcote

State Highway 73
Northbound exits Distance to
Greymouth
(km)
Distance to
Lyttelton
(km)
Southbound exits
End Yaldhurst Road
continues as West Coast Road
236.4 20.6 Start Yaldhurst Road
from West Coast Road
Timaru, Masham, Russley, Picton
Masham Road
Russley Road
Picton, Russley, Masham, Timaru
Russley Road
Masham Road
Sockburn, Avonhead
Middlepark Road
Avonhead Road
238.5 18.5 Avonhead, Sockburn
Avonhead Road
Middlepark Road
Bishopdale, Riccarton
Peer Street
Yaldhurst Road
239.4 17.6 Bishopdale, Riccarton
Peer Street
Yaldhurst Road
Name change to Yaldhurst Road
End concurrency with Christchurch Ring Road
Name change to Curletts Road
Start concurrency with Christchurch Ring Road
Hornby, Riccarton
Main South Road
239.5 17.5 Riccarton, Hornby
Main South Road
Hornby, Christchurch CBD
Blenheim Road
240.3 16.7 Christchurch CBD, Hornby
Blenheim Road
MAIN SOUTH LINE 240.5 16.5 MAIN SOUTH LINE
Wigram
Parkhouse Road
240.8 16.2 Wigram
Parkhouse Road
Middleton
Lunns Road
241.1 15.9 Middleton
Lunns Road
Hoon Hay, Halswell, Akaroa
Curletts Road
241.6 15.4 Hoon Hay, Halswell, Akaroa
Curletts Road
Name change to Curletts Road Name change to Christchurch Southern Motorway
Name change to Christchurch Southern Motorway 244.2 12.8 Name change to Jerrold Street
Spreydon, Addington
Barrington Street
Addington, Spreydon
Barrington Street
Name change to Jerrold Street 245 12 Name change to Brougham Street
Barrington, Addington
Simeon Street
Collins Street
Addington, Barrington
Collins Street
Simeon Street
Sydenham, Addington
Selwyn Street
245.4 11.6 Addington, Sydenham
Selwyn Street
Sydenham, Addington
Strickland Street
Antigua Street
245.9 11.1 Addington, Sydenham
Antigua Street
Strickland Street
Christchurch CBD
Montreal Street
246.1 10.9 Christchurch CBD
Montreal Street
Christchurch CBD
Durham Street South
246.3 10.7 Christchurch CBD
Durham Street South
Beckenham, Christchurch CBD
Colombo Street
246.6 10.4 Christchurch CBD, Beckenham
Colombo Street
Sydenham, Christchurch CBD
Burlington Street
Gasson Street
247.1 9.9 Christchurch CBD, Sydenham
Gasson Street
Burlington Street
Waltham, Christchurch CBD
Waltham Road
247.4 9.6 Christchurch CBD, Waltham
Waltham Road
Opawa, Addington
Opawa Road
248.2 8.8 Addington, Opawa
Opawa Road
St Martins, Linwood
Ensors Road
248.5 8.5 Linwood, St Martins
Ensors Road
HEATHCOTE RIVER 249.3 7.7 HEATHCOTE RIVER
Name change to Brougham Street 249.5 7.5 Name change to Opawa Road
St Martins, Woolston
Garlands Road
249.6 7.4 Woolston, St Martins
Garlands Road
Start concurrency with Christchurch Ring Road End concurrency with Christchurch Ring Road
Murray Aynsley, Woolston
Port Hills Road
Curries Road
250.5 6.5 Woolston, Murray Aynsley
Curries Road
Port Hills Road
Name change to Opawa Road Name change to Port Hills Road
Lyttelton, Woolston
Tunnel Road
252.1 4.9 Woolston, Lyttelton
Tunnel Road
Start State Highway 73
as Port Hills Road
End State Highway 73
Continues as Port Hills Road

Spur sections

State Highway 73A
Location: Hornbyโ€“Sockburn
Length: 3.6 km (2.2 mi)

State Highway 73A is a spur section of SH 73 connecting the suburbs of Hornby, New Zealand and Sockburn, New Zealand via Main South Road and Blenheim Road. Before 2004 it formed part of the old route of SH 73 and further before that SH 1. It is one of the few state highways in New Zealand to be wholly dual carriageway.

Major intersections

State Highway 73A
Westbound intersections Distance to
Hornby
(km)
Distance to
Christchurch CBD
(km)
Eastbound intersections
End
continues as Main South Road
0 10 Start as Main South Road
from
Springston, Timaru, Hornby, Picton
Shands Road
Carmen Road
Picton, Hornby, Timaru, Springston
Carmen Road
Shands Road
Prebbleton, Lincoln
Springs Road
1.7 8.3 Prebbleton, Lincoln
Springs Road
Wigram, Middleton, Sockburn
Symes Road
Green Lane
2.1 7.9 Sockburn, Wigram, Middleton
Green Lane
Symes Road
MAIN SOUTH LINE 2.2 7.8 MAIN SOUTH LINE
Broomfield, Yaldhurst
Lowther Street
Racecourse Road
2.4 7.6 Broomfield, Yaldhurst
Racecourse Road
Lowther Street
Upper Riccarton, Sockburn
Alloy Street
Epsom Road
Main South Road
SOCKBURN ROUNDABOUT
2.6 7.4 Upper Riccarton, Sockburn
Epsom Road
Main South Road
Alloy Street
SOCKBURN ROUNDABOUT
Name change to Main South Road Name change to Blenheim Road
Upper Riccarton, Halswell
Curletts Road
3.8 6.2 Upper Riccarton, Halswell
Curletts Road
End
continues as Blenheim Road to Christchurch CBD

See also

References

  1. ^ [1] Arthur's Pass history
  2. ^ http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/canterbury-places/14 Accessed 29th May 2010
  3. ^ http://www.nzine.co.nz/views/arthurspass_otira.html The Road from Arthur's Pass to Otira
  4. ^ http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/arthurs_pass.html From Christchurch to Arthur's Pass By Road

External links