Cambridge section upcoming works on SH1 and SH1B

Construction on the Cambridge Section of the Waikato Expressway is ramping up with residents and motorists travelling along State Highway 1 and State Highway 1B advised that some of the upcoming construction activity may cause disruption to travel movements.

From this week onwards there will be an increase in construction activity along the new haul road which runs the length of the Expressway route. This will see a significant increase in the volume of heavy machinery and vehicles in this area, which may cause travel disruption where roads cross the Expressway route.

The Transport Agency says the increased truck movements will take place between the hours of 7am-7pm Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays).

Current and ongoing work includes:

• ongoing heavy earthworks and construction of embankments for the Pickering Road, Peake Road and Swayne Road bridges (please note significant changes when Swayne Road bridge work commences from 24 February)
• Victoria Road, Northern and Southern Interchange on-and-off ramp construction
• ongoing piling work in preparation for building the Karapiro Viaduct
• construction of a new diversion road from Thornton Road to St Kilda Road (to minimise disruption while the Thornton Rd bridge begins construction)
• completion of local roads including St Kilda, Appleby and the new Ambreed Road
• construction of the new Hautapu extension road and cycleway connection
• continued relocation of watermains, stormwater, telecoms and powerlines.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead for their travel and to anticipate some delays when travelling through these Cambridge section construction areas where there are also reduced speed limits.

In addition, for safety reasons with the increase in construction activity, the speed limit has been reduced to 80km/h on State Highway 1 from Pickering to Hautapu roads and around Cambridge golf course/Tirau Road. Further concrete barriers will also be put in place in both these locations in the coming weeks.

The Transport Agency thanks the travelling public for their ongoing patience during construction of the Waikato Expressway in this area.

For up-to-date state highway travel information visit www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link) or phone the Transport Agency's 0800 4 HIGHWAYS information line to get the latest updates or to report incidents or hazards on the state highways.  Alternatively you can sign-up via www.onthemove.govt.nz to receive free email alerts designed to inform you before you start your journey about notable incidents, road conditions or roadworks on the state highway network.

For more information please contact:

Glenda Dobbyn
Media Manager - Waitako and Bay of Plenty region

T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 021 67217
E: glenda.dobbyn@nzta.govt.nz