For the entire length of the highway, SH 71 is known as Lineside Road and parallels both the Main North Line of the South Island Main Trunk Railway and a 66 kV transmission line (between Southbrook and Kaiapoi substations) for much of the length.

Smith Street, coming from Kaiapoi, also flows onto SH 71.

Initially a northbound only exit, southbound access was provided in 2014.

[3] Just south of Rangiora the road crosses the railway line at-grade.

SH 71 officially ends after the crossing but the road continues into Rangiora.