A major inner city street in Christchurch has been completely reopened on Sunday afternoon for the first time since the February 2011 earthquake.
The last section of Madras Street, between Tuam Street and Latimer Square, was officially opened to traffic after a short bike race involving several public figures, including Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive Roger Sutton and Mayor Bob Parker.
Mr Parker says the race up and down the street was surprisingly close, but he believes a photo finish would show that he won by the width of a tyre, although there's been some dispute about that.
Mr Parker says the reopening will ease traffic congestion in the area.
A cordon remains on the corner of Madras and Cashel streets, however a temporary road has been put through an empty site for traffic to use.