New local road connections will open on the Rangiriri Section of the Waikato Expressway next week as contractor Fletcher Construction continues to work towards final completion of the project next year.
From next Thursday (8th September) the Rangiriri interchange southbound on-ramp, which connects to Murphy Street in Rangiriri, will open to traffic and the newly named Te Wharepu Bridge will be operating two-way. At the same time the temporary intersection which has been used between Glen Murray Road and SH1 will close and the new connection to Rangiriri Road will open.
All traffic travelling from Glen Murray wanting to head south on SH1 will use the new Rangiriri south-bound on -ramp and travel through Rangiriri township to head south on the Expressway.
All traffic wanting to head north to either Te Kauwhata or to access the Expressway north-bound will use the new connection to Rangiriri Road and the old SH1 (now named Te Wharepu Road) which will take them to Te Kauwhata and the new Te Kauhwata interchange.
Maps showing these changes and additional connections opening in October are available in the latest project update online at www.nzta.govt.nz/rangiriri(external link)
The Transport Agency would like to remind motorists there is still a lot of work to be done at Rangiriri before the project is fully complete next year. The new connections are well sign posted but we urge motorists to be aware of the changing environment at Rangiriri and take extra care while they become accustomed to the new road layouts.
A temporary speed restriction of 70km/h remains in place along the length of the new Expressway between the Te Kauwhata and Rangiriri interchanges. Please respect the speed restrictions and traffic management in place which is there for the safety of both drivers travelling through Rangiriri and the contractor working on site.
The Transport Agency would also like to offer a special thanks to the local Te Kauwhata and Rangiriri communities for their patience while drivers become accustomed to the new layouts.
