More closures and detours are coming for the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway as the level of activity picks up to ensure the project is complete by mid-December.
This means weekday night closures and detours will be required throughout November, with the possibility of further full week 24/7 closures at the end of the month if required.
Additional contractors are being brought in so that when the closures are in place work will happen on the northbound and southbound lanes at the same time, says Jo Wilton, Senior Manager Project Services at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
“We’re absolutely determined to get this finished and open to four lanes of traffic by mid-December, ahead of the busy Christmas period, which is why we’re throwing more resources at this.
“This project to repair and upgrade this section of the Waikato Expressway has caused ongoing disruption for some time and we’re asking for a bit more patience from motorists while we ramp up activity on site to finish the job,” Ms Wilton says.
The following schedule is listed on the Waikato Expressway surface works project and drivers are encouraged to check this page for the latest information on closures and detours.
|
Closure Date |
Closure Hours |
Direction |
|
Wednesday 30 October |
Overnight (7pm-5am) |
Southbound |
|
Thursday 31 October |
Overnight (7pm-5am) |
Northbound |
|
Sunday 3 November to Friday 8 November |
Night closures (7pm-5am) starting Sunday night and finishing Friday morning |
Both directions |
|
Sunday 10 November to Friday 15 November |
Night closures (7pm-5am) starting Sunday night and finishing Friday morning |
Both directions |
|
Sunday 17 November to Friday 22 November |
Night closures (7pm-5am) starting Sunday night and finishing Friday morning |
Both directions |
|
Sunday 24 November to Friday 29 November (If needed - to be confirmed) |
Full road closure from midnight Sunday to midday Friday |
Both directions |
|
Sunday 1 December to Friday 6 December (If needed - to be confirmed) |
Full closure from midnight Sunday to midday Friday |
Both directions |
Additional night closures may be required in early December. Further information will be released about this closer to the time and the table on the website will be updated.
When the Ngāruawāhia section is open to traffic a contraflow system will be in place where all vehicles will use either the northbound or southbound lanes to allow work to continue. Drivers are advised to follow the signage around the Lake Road interchange which will manage the connections to SH1 and SH1C at Lake Road and to Horotiu.
“As always with road works there may be disruption from the weather or other unforeseen circumstances, but by setting aside this amount of time for full closures, we’re confident that we’ve got enough time in reserve to ensure the job is done by our 15 December deadline,” Ms Wilton says.
It’s a busy time on the network – so plan ahead before you travel with Journey planner:
