This highway was gazetted in 2012 after stage 1 of the Christchurch Southern Motorway was completed.

[1][2] In early February 2025, the Sixth National Government prioritised the section of SH 76 along Brougham Street a "Road of Regional Significance" and confirmed it would invest between NZ$100-150 million in upgrading it.

[3] The highway currently begins at a grade separated intersection with SH 74 on the northern approach to the Lyttelton road tunnel.

This section of road used to be part of SH 73 and the speed limit is mostly 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).

Midway up the motorway is the Curletts Road interchange, a major interchange where two state highways commence: SH 75 to Akaroa via Banks Peninsula and SH 73 to the West Coast via Arthur's Pass.