The Waikato Expressway at Tamahere can quickly become a slow road when, as is this case last June, there has been a crash.
Major work on the Waikato Expressway is set to start on Sunday – and it will create delays for motorists for much of the rest of the year.
Transport Agency Waka Kotahi plans to reconstruct the equivalent of 62 kilometres of lanes between Cambridge and Tamahere over a 16km section of the expressway.
The work will be completed in 5km stages and is expected to finish late in the year. It will involve rebuilding structural layers topped with open grade porous asphalt which is expected to keep the expressway resilient and ready for future growth.
“While this section has received maintenance in recent years, we are completing this work now to ensure the expressway is providing the level of service people have come to expect,” Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations in Waikato and Bay of Plenty Roger Brady said.
“We know people have seen repairs along this stretch, and unfortunately the pavement, particularly in the slow lanes, has deteriorated faster than expected. Completing this comprehensive upgrade now will reduce the need for repeated maintenance and provide a smoother and safer journey for everyone.”
The main construction programme will see work completed in 5km sections starting at the southern interchange near Tīrau Road in the southbound lanes. During this time southbound traffic will be shifted onto one northbound lane, allowing for one lane in each direction.
The contractor, Fulton Hogan, will use this same method as they move through six stages of work.
Staged closures of the on and off ramps at the Victoria Road Interchange at Hautapu) and Northern Interchange near Cambridge Road) will be required for some stages of the project.
Planning is also underway for resurfacing works at the southbound passing lane on State Highway 1 just before Kentucky Road in Karāpiro. These works are expected to get underway in early to mid-March and will likely involve a period of night works with stop/go traffic management.
The main highway work comes as one of the major roads in and out of Hamilton is closed for the installation of a roundabout.
The Morrinsville Rd – State Highway 26 – will remain closed at Matangi Road until May, later if weather is unkind.
The new figure of eight roundabout will ease traffic flow at both Matangi Road and Silverdale Road in Hamilton.
The closure of the link with State Highway 1C through Hamilton has resulted in more congestion in Hillcrest, where there has also been ongoing roadworks on Cambridge Road, and frustration with bus services being delayed.
The Waikato Expressway at Tamahere can quickly become a slow road when, as is this case last June, there has been a crash.
