Cyclists to celebrate Evans Pass Road re-opening

Cyclists will be the first to celebrate the re-opening of Evans Pass Road this weekend.

The road will be open to cyclists only on Saturday 3 November 2012 from 8am, and to all vehicles from 8am on Sunday, 4 November 2012.

Evans Pass Road, which goes from Sumner to the Summit Road, has been closed since February 22, 2011, as a result of rockfall from the earthquakes.

Mayor Bob Parker is delighted that the road is opening and says it will be welcome news for local residents.

“The reopening of the road has also been much anticipated by cyclists keen to return to their training and recreational ground. We have re-opened the road for cyclists only on the Saturday to give them the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the road free from other vehicles for a day,” he says.

“The opening is timely for cyclists competing in the Benchmark Homes Festival of Cycling in December and the Coffee Culture Le Race in March.

“This is another example of Christchurch getting back on its feet and it is a tribute to the teams who have worked so hard to get the road open again,” he says.

Considerable work has been done clearing the rockfall, including blasting 6,000 cubic metres of rock to prevent further rockfall, and replacing retaining walls.

Cyclists and other users are advised to be aware that some sections of Evans Pass Road may be uneven and narrow in places. A traffic management plan will be in place that will restrict access to vehicles apart from cyclists on Saturday.

Cyclists should obey the temporary traffic management signs and restrictions and take care on the way down. Road rules will apply at all times - cyclists must keep to the left at all times as the road is open to cyclists to travel up and down.

The Summit Road is open to all vehicles, cyclists need to be aware of traffic in both directions and obey all road rules.

Evans Pass Road will open to all vehicles on Sunday 4 November 2012 from 8am.

Sumner Road (the road from Lyttelton to the summit at Evans Pass) remains closed. Options for reinstating the road are still being investigated.