The first stage of construction on a new Acute Services building at Christchurch Hospital gets underway next week.
Christchurch hospital Photo: RNZ / Karen Brown
The new building is part of $650 million Government project to upgrade facilities at Christchurch and Burwood Hospital.
The Canterbury District Health Board said the first signs of the work will be site preparation work at Christchurch Hospital, and will include changing the one way road in front of the hospital to two way.
During construction parking on site, which was already in high demand, will be reduced by 150 parks.
The Canterbury District Health Board chief executive, David Meates, said able-bodied visitors and staff are asked to do their bit by choosing alternative forms of transport wherever possible.
The building is expected to be completed by 2018, and Mr Meates says the next few years will be challenging.