Crews carrying out improvements on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere continue to make strong strides towards completion, with much of the work expected to be completed by the end of June 2024.
A key section between Gorton Road and Keeley’s Reserve is now complete, with turnaround bays in place at Gorton and Tunakawa Roads and flexible median barrier installed in sections through to Fergusson Gully Road.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, says this critical safety infrastructure is a big step towards preventing further deaths and serious injuries.
“As well as saving lives and preventing trauma, these upgrades will result in fewer serious crashes which will mean the highway is more efficient, with less closures required.
“We have already seen the difference median barrier can make. Since 2020, barrier between Cambridge and Piarere has been struck 96 times – that’s 96 incidents which could have resulted in serious head-on crashes.”
Ms Wilton reminds motorists that it is essential to use the new turnaround bays to change direction.
“We’ve had reports of people risking their lives and others’ by making dangerous manoeuvres to avoid the use of the turnaround bays. This is extremely concerning and not only reckless, but also illegal.”
“We appreciate we have changed the way people need to use the road and acknowledge the changes may be inconvenient for some people. We understand some people need to travel further to make a right turn, but in most instances, this is a matter of an additional few minutes of travel time. We believe the consequence of not making it home altogether is far, far worse.”
Further south, work continues between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road where median barrier is being installed.
Ms Wilton advises motorists to prepare for congestion when travelling through the site.
“Congestion and travel disruption is frustrating for motorists, and we try to schedule works in a way that minimises impact. We operate night shifts for the more disruptive work, but work through the day is unavoidable, especially on a very busy state highway.”
Night shifts are currently occurring from 7pm to 6am, Sunday to Thursday, with stop/go traffic management in place until mid to late May. Day works continue from Monday to Friday, with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h in place. Work is on track to be completed by late June 2024.
Meanwhile further north, the fifth turnaround bay, just north of Hickey Road, is also due to be completed in June, along with the installation of median barrier from the end of the Waikato Expressway through to Hydro Road. Temporary traffic management is in place, including lane shifts.
Ms Wilton says all of the above work will mean more than 12kms of median barrier will have been installed on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere by July 2024.
“We thank everyone, particularly the local residents, for their patience so far and for the remainder of this work.”
For more on the project, visit our SH1 Cambridge and Piarere page.
