Fast-Track Approval Granted for SH1 Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass

The State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass, Road of National Significance, has been granted Fast-track approval.

This is the 27th project and the second roading project to be approved through the Fast-track process.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) lodged its application in December 2025, with approval taking around four months since the appointment of an independent expert panel.

This expansion between Belfast and Pegasus spans around 11 km, commencing from south of the Kaiapoi River Bridge and ending just north of the Pegasus/Ravenwood intersection, says Mr Bishop.

SH1 approaching Woodend currently carries around 21,500 vehicles a day, including around nine percent freight. With traffic volumes expected to grow to around 28,000 vehicles a day by 2048, the new road will improve safety, reduce congestion, unlock housing growth, and support economic development.

It is also expected to reduce predicted deaths and serious injuries from 5.6 per year to 1.25 per year.

The panel found that effects on transport, ecology, stormwater and flooding could be managed through consent conditions. These include construction, traffic and ecological management plans, ongoing monitoring, and creating a new wetland to offset habitat loss.

This project will unlock housing and urban development potential in the Woodend, Ravenswood and Pegasus townships. North Canterbury has seen significant residential and commercial expansion and the Waimakariri District has emerged as one of the fastest-growing local authorities in NZ, says Mr Jones.

Notes to editor More information about the project: State Highway 1 North Canterbury – Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus) Fast-track by the numbers: 27 projects approved by expert panels.

19 projects with expert panels appointed.

58 projects are currently progressing through the Fast-track process. 29 active substantive and 29 referral applications.

56 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.

149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.

On average, it has taken 118 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.

Fast-track projects approved by expert panels: Arataki [Housing/Land] Ashbourne [Housing/Land] Ayrburn Screen Hub [Infrastructure] Green Steel [Infrastructure] Homestead Bay [Housing/Land] Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure] Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land] Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying] Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying] Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme [Renewable energy] Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works [Renewable energy] Māhinerangi Wind Farm [Renewable energy] Maitahi Village [Housing/Land] Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land] The Point Mission Bay [Housing/Land] Pound Road [Housing/Land] Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land] Ryans Road [Housing/Land] Southland Wind Farm Project [Renewable energy] State Highway 1 North Canterbury - Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus) [Infrastructure] Sunfield [Housing/Land] Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy] Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure] Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying] Waitaha Hydro [Renewable energy] Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project [Infrastructure] Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal [Infrastructure] Expert panels have been appointed for: 188 Beaumont Street Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills Auckland Prison Capacity Increase Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project Central and Southern Block Mining Project Delmore Downtown Carpark Site Development Foxton Solar Farm Haldon Solar Farm Hananui Aquaculture Project Hunua Quarry Development Mt Iron Junction Mt Welcome, Pukerua Bay, Porirua Northwest Rapid Transit Southern Link Inland Port Stella Passage Development The Point Solar Farm Waikanae North Development