Resolution Drive will be extended to connect to the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway following a Hamilton City Council decision today.
Council’s Strategy and Policy Committee today resolved to support the construction of local roads which will connect the city to the new $972million section of expressway, that the NZ Transport Agency will begin building this year.
The Resolution Drive extension will include walking and cycling links and a roundabout connection at the intersection of Kay Road and Resolution drive.
The Transport Agency’s Waikato Highway manager, Kaye Clark said the Transport Agency had worked closely with Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council and Tainui Group Holdings, which is developing the inland port at Ruakura, to ensure the Hamilton section supports the region’s growth and development and provides an integrated transport network for all road users.
“This section of the expressway is going to deliver growth and economic development to Hamilton’s door,” she said.
“We’ve worked hard to make sure that the expressway connects to the local road network in a way that supports this planned growth and development while also keeping our communities linked.”
Hamilton City Council General Manager of City Infrastructure Chris Allen said the expressway was a strategic project for the region and the city.
“This project will provide outstanding transport links for our region, leading to a stronger economy. The council is pleased that the Transport Agency is working with us to align the timing of Resolution Drive.”
Confirmation of the Resolution Drive extension means the Transport Agency will now continue with the designation process to connect Resolution Drive to, and across, the expressway to Horsham Downs Road.
Ms Clark said as part of this work it is proposed to stop Osborne Road on either side of the expressway and provide alternative walking and cycling connections in consultation with the Horsham Downs community.
Public Information days will be held at the Horsham Downs Community Hall on Thursday, April 23 from midday until 7pm.
“We’d like to encourage as many people as possible to attend this information day to learn more about the project and give their feedback,” Ms Clark said.
“People can stop in at any time during the day and speak with Transport Agency staff, engineers and planners.”
The $972 million Hamilton section is expected to be underway by the end of the year after the Transport Agency board approved funding earlier this month.
The project team is currently in the tender phase with two consortia. The successful group is expected to be announced in October.
The Hamilton section includes an interchange with north facing ramps at Resolution Drive, full interchanges at Greenhill Road and Ruakura and a southern interchange near Cherry Lane at Tamahere, which will provide north facing ramps.
The Southern interchange also includes an east west connection over the expressway for local traffic at Tamahere. (see attached schematic map for the full project outline).
A memorandum of understanding between the Transport Agency, City Council, Waikato District Council and Tainui Group Holdings, regarding each organisations role in ensuring good connections to the expressway, including a multi-party funding agreement for the extension of Resolution Drive will now go to the City Council’s, Finance Committee on 21 May, 2015.
The Waikato Expressway is one of seven Roads of National Significance (RoNS) identified by the government as key to unlocking New Zealand’s potential for economic growth.
Find out more(external link) about the Hamilton section and keep up to date with the project.
