Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency upgraded the intersection of SH1C Cobham Drive and Cambridge Road, thereby making it safer for everyone and improving traffic flows in this busy Hamilton city neighbourhood.
State Highway 1C at Cobham Drive and Cambridge Road is a four-lane road in an urban residential area, with pedestrian and cyclist activity crossing and adjacent to the highway.
SH1C is used for commuting and to a lesser extent, moving freight, and there are a variety of different road users. There are also vulnerable road users in this section of highway, including walkers, cyclists and particularly tamariki and their caregivers who walk, scoot and bike to Hillcrest Normal Primary School.
The previous roundabout at the intersection was a pinch point for Hamilton traffic, particularly those travelling between the central city and Cambridge, and was no longer fit for purpose due to increasing traffic volumes and flows.
The proximity of Hillcrest Normal School adds to traffic volumes at pick-up and drop-off times, and tamariki and their caregivers were only able to cross Cambridge Road in front of the school via a narrow underpass with limited sightlines.
The changes made to the intersection, together with the completion of the Waikato Expressway and the Cobham Drive interchange, allow the benefits of the Hamilton Ring Road to be fully realised and have reduced the traffic that uses Cambridge Road as a shortcut through Hillcrest.
Overall, this has made it a much safer and more comfortable crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable users, especially tamariki and their caregivers.
There is also a new, permanent layout – there is no longer an option to turn right from local Cambridge Road into Cobham Drive. People wanting to head west along SH1C from local Cambridge Road should instead travel north to Wairere Drive and use the Cobham Drive interchange.
