The NZ Transport Agency is set to open stage two of the Kamo Bypass this Sunday (September 4) - three months ahead of schedule.
NZTA Regional Director for Auckland and Northland Stephen Town said the agency was thrilled to be delivering the benefits of the project to drivers three months earlier than anticipated.
“This is a great outcome for the region, for the NZTA and for our Whangarei contractors United Civil. The team has worked very hard to deliver the project early and still within budget. It’s a great success and we look forward to letting traffic use it,” says Mr Town
Mr Town said the agency was asking drivers using the bypass to take extra care as some work was still underway to put the finishing touches on the project.
The new 1.3 kilometre-long section of the Kamo bypass runs north from the top of Western Hills Drive, intersects with the new Spedding Road link, before joining the original bypass close to the Whangarei golf course.
The community will get first use of the $25m project before any vehicles when the NZTA opens it walkers and cyclists on Sunday morning. This will follow the dawn blessing official opening led by Hon. Phil Heatley MP, Mayor Morris Cutforth, local iwi, and NZTA officials.
Mr Cutforth says both the Kamo Bypass Stage Two and his council’s associated Spedding Road link are critical to keep traffic moving at the northern end of Whangarei.
“It’s great that the NZTA and Whangarei District Council can work together to deliver these projects essential to keep Whangarei moving,” Mr Cutforth says.
“To get the best result for the new highway we need to have traffic driving on it to settle in the new surface before we lay the final seal in 4-8 weeks.”
Mr Town says during that time, speed restrictions will be in place and there could be some minor disruption to traffic flows.
“For the safety of drivers and their passengers we ask everyone to use the bypass with care and observe all signs – especially those relating to speed.”
Once the official celebrations and community event have ended, the project team will be busy finalising the road for traffic later that day. Traffic lights need to switched on, traffic barriers removed, and the highway diversion through Kamo lifted.
