$40 million Piarere roundabout one step closer to approval

Thursday, 10 March 2022

Plans to improve safety at the dangerous intersection of State Highways 1 and 29 at Piarere, are one step closer to approval.

According to Waka Kotahi, there is considerable support for proposed safety improvements at the intersection with most of the submissions received during the resource management application phase in favour of the changes.

If approved by the Environment Court the $40 million project would see a new roundabout built with underpasses and solid median barriers to replace the existing T-intersection.

Waka Kotahi's Waikato/Bay of Plenty Infrastructure Delivery Regional Manager Jo Wilton said the intersection is among the most dangerous places on the New Zealand roading network.

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There have been 62 crashes in eight years at the intersection, resulting in two deaths.

She said 18 submissions had been received from individuals and landowners, government organisations, transport industry groups and local organisations with the majority supporting the proposal to construct a roundabout to make the intersection safer.

“There were some submissions that raised technical considerations around the design,' Wilton said.

'Others wanted reassurance that good design processes to cater for larger vehicles would be followed, and we will respond to these submissions.'

The councils involved - Waikato Regional Council, Matamata-Piako District Council and South Waikato District Council - have granted Waka Kotahi’s request for applications to go directly to the Environment Court.

Those councils will now prepare a report on the application to help the Environment Court address any relevant RMA issues or suggest conditions if the application is approved.

All parties would then have the chance to decide if they want to be heard at the Environment Court with a hearing date set down for mid-2022.

If approved, work could begin by the end of this year and finished by late 2024.

The upgrade of SH1 and SH29 intersection at Piarere would improve safety on a high-volume traffic route, which is one of New Zealand’s most critical corridors and would be designed to allow connection with a potential future expressway extension from Cambridge.