Motorists travelling on the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway will be detoured at times from this month while contractors lay the final surface along the route.
The NZ Transport Agency’s project services manager Peter Simcock says the final surface will be ab open graded porous asphalt, which should significantly reduce noise generated by tyres on the road surface.
This will be laid on the section between Gordonton Road and Horotiu interchange from March 16.
From March 16 until March 27 the northbound lanes of the Ngaruawahia section will be closed for resurfacing. Traffic using those lanes will be detoured onto the old State Highway 1 (SH1) route via Ngaruawahia.
From April 8 until April 19 the southbound lanes of the Ngaruawahia section of Expressway will be closed. During this time all southbound traffic will be diverted onto the old SH1 route via Ngaruawahia.
Mr Simcock says detour signs will be in place at Te Rapa, Horotiu and Taupiri to direct motorists during the works. He says motorists should plan for delays of up to five minutes when travelling.
Waikato District Council Roading Manager Chris Clarke says Ngaruawahia residents should be aware that traffic will increase in town during the works.
“The lifestyle has become quite relaxed over recent months and our children might need to be more vigilant getting to and from school as traffic will increase while the detour is in place,” he says.
“Please take extra care crossing the road and use the pedestrian crossings manned by teachers and students when walking to school.”
The Transport Agency thanks motorists and the residents of Ngaruawahia for their patience and understanding while the detour is in place.
The Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway will get its final surface this month.
For more information about the project, visit: http://nzta.govt.nz/projects/ngaruawahia/(external link).
For real time information on highway conditions and incidents visit www.nzta.govt.nz(external link) call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or follow @nztawaibop on twitter.
For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On The Move at www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link).
For more information please contact:
Natalie Dixon
Waikato / Bay of Plenty Media Manager
T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 928 413
E: natalie.dixon@nzta.govt.nz
