Major road changes ahead as Waikato Expressway nears completion
Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Motorists can expect major change at the Gordon Road interchange from mid February as work continues on the Waikato expressway.
Work linking the Huntly and Ngaruawahia sections of the Waikato Expressway will effect the Gordonton Road interchange at Taupiri from February 12.
The south-bound access lane which takes SH1 traffic on to the Ngaruawahia section will be closed to enable a full interchange to be built as part of the works on the Huntly section.
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An interchange is a road junction that uses one or more ramps, to allow traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream.
With the lane removed, traffic will need to use the roundabout above the expressway and take the on-ramp. The change will be signposted, and will add a minute or two while travelling.
NZ Transport Agency Delivery Portfolio manager Peter Simcock said work is progressing well on the 15.2km Huntly section.
'The long dry spring and early summer has been great for earth-moving, and the project is on track for a 2020 opening,' Simcock said.
Two of the nine bridges needed are now open to construction traffic and work is well under way on the other seven.
'Getting started on linking the two sections at Gordonton Road is a milestone for the project team.'
The Huntly section runs from the Ohinewai to the northern end of the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway. When completed it will take SH1 east of Huntly town and over the Taupiri Range.
When completed the expressway will deliver a four-lane highway from the Bombay Hills to south of Cambridge.
The expressway is being built in seven sections.