19 September 2024
REMINDER: The southbound lane at the SH1/29 intersection will be closed on Tuesday 24 September from approx. 4.45am until early evening impacting Hamilton to Tīrau traffic.
This is to enable southbound traffic to be switched onto the new roundabout in Piarere.
There will be a short period around 4.30am where traffic will need to be fully stopped (for 10 – 20 minutes) in all directions to establish the new layout.
More information below.
26 August 2024
Great progress has been made on the new roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 1 and State Highway 29 in Piarere and motorists can look forward to travelling over it shortly.
Piarere roundabout approaching major milestone.
"Motorists will be using the new roundabout by the end of September,“ says Jo Wilton, Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
“The project won’t be finished by then, but we will have two temporary approaches in action, while work continues on the third (SH1 Tīrau) approach and we're sure motorists will be eager to use the new roundabout as soon as possible.”
To enable the traffic switch, a SH1 southbound lane closure is required so a temporary tie-in to the intersection can be constructed.
The 1-day SH1 southbound closure will take place on Tuesday 24 September from approximately 4.45am (subject to weather), impacting Hamilton to Tīrau traffic. Motorists will be required to detour via SH29, SH27, to SH1 adding around 12 minutes to journey times.
Northbound traffic will not be impacted, and access will remain for residents, school buses and emergency services. Traffic on SH29 and traffic on SH1 between Piarere and Cambridge will also not be affected.
Once the temporary tie-in is completed, the SH1 southbound lane is expected to re-open early evening on 24 September.
The new layout will see SH1 southbound traffic use the roundabout to turn onto the temporary road to carry on their journey south.
SH1 Tīrau traffic heading to SH29 will also use the temporary tie-in road, with a give way rule in place, when turning right onto SH1 to the new roundabout and exiting at SH29. SH1 Tīrau traffic heading north will enter a slip lane before merging with other northbound traffic before merging with other northbound traffic.
“This temporary arrangement is expected to remain in place until late 2024 and people are asked to take extra care when travelling through the area and work zone,” says Ms Wilton.
Night works will also be carried out on Monday 23 September with stop/go in place from 7pm to undertake line marking ahead of the closure.
A temporary speed limit of 60km/h remains in place around the project site to protect road workers and ensure the safety of everyone travelling.
“Construction of the roundabout got underway in January 2024 and is on track to be finished in mid-late 2025. It will have 3 approaches along with a fourth stub for the future expressway.
“Once complete, the roundabout will improve efficiency, connectivity and safety on a high-volume traffic route, which is one of New Zealand’s most critical corridors. It will also connect with the future expressway between Cambridge and Piarere,” Ms Wilton says.
Southbound closure and detour information:
View maps
