The New Zealand Transport Agency would like to remind motorists of the upcoming closure to Te Kowhai Road as construction on the Te Rapa section of the Waikato Expressway enters its final stages.
Te Kowhai Road will be permanently closed, on the eastern side of the Expressway, from September 14. This will be the last major change to the road layout in the area, ahead of a planned public opening for the section in early December.
From September 14, traffic travelling from Te Kowhai to The Base will need to use the new Koura Drive.
Travelling over Koura Drive, motorists should turn right into Onion Road and then left into Ruffell Road, to rejoin the current State Highway 1.
NZTA Waikato Expressway principal project manager Richard Young says the closure of Te Kowhai Road is linked to the Hamilton City Council’s long-term growth plans for the Rotokauri area.
“The NZTA has worked closely with key stakeholders on the Te Rapa section of the Waikato Expressway to ensure this important piece of infrastructure is fully future proofed and integrated into the region’s long-term development plans,” Mr Young says.
Ruffell Road and level crossing works – speed restrictions and road closure times
Work is underway to install traffic signals at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Ruffell Road.
Construction is expected to take another two weeks, during which time traffic in the area will be restricted to 50km per hour at times.
As part of this work, the surface of the level crossing at Ruffell Road is also being upgraded. KiwiRail plans to carry out this work on Saturday, September 1.
Because of this, Ruffell Road will be closed to traffic from 6am until 6pm on Saturday, September 1.
Diversions and traffic management will be in place. Motorists are advised to please take a different route.
