A crane lifts one of the concrete structures into place
Construction of the roundabout and roading upgrades on Cambridge Road, connecting the town to the Velodrome, is nearing completion – much to the relief of Te Awa Lifecare Village residents.
Aerial view of the roundabout and surrounding development. Photo: Waipa District Council
Te Awa Lifecare Retirement Village. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Cambridge News 10 July 2025
The project, announced by Waipā District Council in 2020, included the installation of the district’s first pedestrian and cycling underpasses beneath a new roundabout.
Originally scheduled to begin in April 2021 and take eight months, the work has stretched over more than three years and is now expected to be completed by September.
“It’s gone on and on and taken years and years,” Te Awa Residents’ Committee secretary Malcolm Baigent said. “What China can build in 10 days, it’s taken them years here.
“And I bet it’s cost a fortune in orange cones. That’s been a standing joke here. We’ve wished we had shares in the company that manufactures them.”
Pre-cast underpass units being lifted into place. Photo: Waipa District Council
Last week, contractors installed the final 14 of 30 pre-cast concrete underpass units, each weighing 32 tonnes.
These connect with the 16 units placed last October. In addition to the underpasses, essential utilities – including stormwater drains, power, water, and communications – have been laid beneath the roundabout.
Despite progress, residents say the prolonged construction has been disruptive and frustrating.
Max Brown, a Te Awa resident for five years, described the project as “disturbing, dangerous, and difficult.”
“It’s been the most annoying thing about living here,” he said.
All sections in place. Photo: Waipa District Council
Communication had been poor and disruption never ending, he said.
One of the biggest frustrations has been the long stretches of inactivity, when orange cones remained in place despite no visible work being done.
In a statement last week, the council confirmed that construction of the shared path connecting Te Awa Lifecare through the underpasses to the Velodrome and town will begin this week.
A new sealed entrance to Te Awa will also be created, providing access directly from the roundabout instead of Cambridge Road.
In the meantime, residents are using a temporary gravel walkway which has proven difficult for those with mobility scooters or walkers.
The underpass marks the final major infrastructure element in the Bridleways subdivision and will connect it with the St Peter’s subdivision on the southern side of Cambridge Road to Waikato River.
Gerry Wake of Te Awa was a regular mobility scooter user as road works continued. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Lifting of the concrete underpasses. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
