NZTA awards contract for Tamahere-Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway.
Construction of the Waikato Expressway Road of National Significance reached another important milestone today, with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) awarding the contract to build the $250 million Tamahere-Cambridge Section to HEB Construction.
NZTA Waikato Expressway Principal Project Manager Richard Young said awarding the contract to build the 16km Section was another major step towards completing the Expressway.
“With the Te Rapa section completed in 2012, the Ngaruawahia section scheduled for completion at the end of this year, the Rangiriri section started and now the contract for Tamahere-Cambridge awarded, more than half of the Expressway will have begun construction since the project was advanced as one of the Government’s Roads of National Significance in 2009.”
Joining the NZTA at today’s event were Waikato MP Lindsay Tisch, Hamilton East MP David Bennett, Norm Barker (Waikato Regional Land Transport Committee Chairman) Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston, Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson and iwi from the Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Te Whakaminenga O Haua Trusts and representatives from HEB Construction.
Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston says the project will bring significant economic benefit to both Cambridge and the wider region.
“For Cambridge this project is critical in addressing the at times serious traffic congestion issues in this area. The project will also remedy the medium term issues of crossing the Waikato River and supporting growth in the Cambridge North area.”
Mr Young says along with reducing the journey time between the Bombay Hills in the north to Tirau by 35 minutes, when completed in 2019 the Expressway will also provide a more effective transport network between the business centers of Waikato, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.
“Transport networks which perform well for businesses, importers, exporters, tourism and commuters help to stimulate economic growth.”
Mr Young says the Tamahere-Cambridge Section is expected to reduce the travel time though Cambridge by approximately 4 minutes, at peak times the time saving is expected to be up to 10 minutes.
The Expressway will also significantly improve safety on this stretch of highway for all road users by providing a four lane median divided highway which separates traffic travelling in opposite directions.
“Between 2000 and 2012 there have been 12 fatal and 43 serious injury crashes on this section of road. This project will not only make this road safer it will help to reduce the high human and social costs associated with these crashes,” Mr Young says.
Over the next six months the NZTA will be working with HEB Construction and lead designers URS on the final detailed design of the project ahead of the start of construction in September 2013.
Mr Young says this process will ensure the best design is adopted for the project and make certain the final design meets statutory and planning requirements.
“Careful thought and consideration is given all the way through the design and construction phase to minimise any impacts to the community and ensure the most efficient delivery of the project,” Mr Young says.
