Work to make State Highway 1 (SH1) Waikato Expressway safer at Hampton Downs will get underway next week, with two overnight closures planned so temporary steel barriers can be installed.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, says before the team can start work on the safety improvements, temporary steel barriers need to be installed along the 1.6km section of SH1.
“We’re upgrading SH1 so it meets the design and safety standards for travelling at 110km/h, this includes moving streetlights so roadside barriers can be installed. The temporary steel barriers provide a safe work area, protecting construction workers from live traffic while they upgrade the state highway. We need to ensure they feel safe and get to go home to their families”.
To enable the temporary steel barriers to be installed, SH1 will be closed overnight between Hampton Downs interchange and the Te Kauwhata interchange for two nights in a row. The closure will only affect one direction of traffic at a time, southbound lane first, followed by the northbound. While SH1 is closed between Hampton Downs and Te Kauwhata, all traffic will be detoured.
Southbound lane closure and detour – Sunday 10 July
On Sunday 10 July, between 7pm and 7am, southbound traffic will be detoured from Hampton Downs interchange via Whangamariro Road and Rodda Road to the Te Kauwhata interchange.
Northbound lane closure and detour – Monday 11 July
On Monday 11 July, between 7pm and 7am, northbound traffic will be detoured from Te Kauwhata interchange via Rodda Road and Whangamariro Road to the Hampton Downs interchange.
Southbound or Northbound Lane closure and detour – Tuesday 12 July TBC
A northbound or southbound lane closure and detour may be required on Tuesday 12 July, between 7pm and 7am, if the install team need more time. The public will be notified of the closure on Monday 11 July.
Detour route for heavies:
People are asked to take extra care when travelling along the detour route by following any temporary speed limits, signs and instructions from the traffic management team.
In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed. Visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) website for up-to-date information on the road closure, detours, traffic, road works and delays.
After the temporary steel barriers have been installed along the 1.6km section of SH1, the speed limit at Hampton Downs (in both directions) will be 70km/h, while the team upgrade the road.
To make it safer, we’re installing roadside barriers to prevent people from running off the road and hitting trees, poles or deep ditches. Several roadside lights will also be repositioned to provide room for the new barriers to be installed. The safety improvement work is expected to be completed by November 2022.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.
