The public can view progress on the Huntly section of the Waikato Expressway at an information day on Saturday 27 October.
Construction of the 15km Huntly section began in 2015 and it has not been possible to get the public on site until now due to the rugged terrain.
Huntly section will take traffic east of Huntly town, up and over the Taupiri Range, and across lowlands to link with the completed Ngaruawahia section at Gordonton Road.
“This is a completely greenfields project over some very challenging country, and has been under construction away from the public view. So with earthworks nearing completion and pavement work well under way, we are looking forward to giving the public the opportunity to view progress,” says an NZ Transport Agency Portfolio Manager Darryl Coalter.
“There’s a lot more to this project than just building a road and this public information day will showcase the interesting work being done in areas like ecology and the environment,” Mr Coalter says.
That includes wetland restoration, stream enhancements, pest eradication and planting 1.4 million native plants.
The $409 million project is being delivered by Fulton Hogan-HEB and the joint venture will have various project displays, gear and staff on hand.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to see the significant progress on the road construction, and to see some of the challenges we have faced to date,” says Fulton Hogan-HEB joint venture project director Tony Adams.
Free buses will take people along the route, probably as far at the Taupiri Pass where a 57-metre cutting has been made through earth and rock to lessen the gradient.
The information day will run from 10am-2pm, based at the site office in McVie Road with parking at the nearby Huntly Speedway. Food stalls and refreshments will be operating.
The Huntly section of the expressway will be open to traffic in early 2020, and is a major link in the 102km Waikato Expressway project.
The final section to open is Hamilton, which is also under construction and due to open in late 2020.
For more information go to www.nzta.govt.nz/huntly(external link)
www.facebook.com/waikatoexpressway(external link)
