Months of roadworks ahead for Cambridge-Tamahere section of Waikato Expressway

Monday, 23 February 2026

Expect delays as the road surface on 16km of the Waikato Expressway is fixed, between Cambridge and Tamahere (file photo).

Don’t expect a quick trip between Cambridge and Tamahere for much of this year, because major roadworks are starting.

Asphalt works on that section of Waikato Expressway will run from March through to late 2026, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says. Motorists are warned to plan for significant delays.

“Unfortunately the pavement, particularly in the slow lanes, has deteriorated faster than expected,” NZTA’s Roger Brady said.

That means a 16km section of State Highway 1 will be rebuilt with new asphalt. Lane closures will be in place 24/7 once the main construction programme begins on Sunday 1 March.

Work on the ‘busy section of state highway’ will start in March and continue until late 2026, NZTA says (file photo).

“This is a busy section of state highway, and we know the works will be disruptive for regular commuters,” Brady said. “We’ve worked with our contractors to ensure the approach is as safe and efficient as possible.”

Enabling works begin overnight Monday 23 February, ahead of a staged reconstruction programme being delivered by contractor Fulton Hogan.

The project covers 62 lane kilometres and will be completed in 5km sections, NZTA said. Work will start at the southern interchange near Tīrau Road, initially focusing on the two southbound lanes.

All southbound traffic will be shifted onto one northbound lane, allowing one lane of traffic in each direction. The same approach will be used across six stages as crews move north toward Tamahere.

Pictured are the planned stages for the work on the expressway, which NZTA says will be done in 5km sections.

“We understand how important this route is for the region, and this work is designed to deliver a durable, high‑quality pavement,” said Brady, NZTA’s regional manager of maintenance and operations for Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

“While this section has received maintenance in recent years, we are completing this work now to ensure the expressway is providing the level of service people have come to expect,” he said.

Structural layers will be rebuilt and topped with open grade porous asphalt (OGPA).

Brady said increasing traffic volumes and heavier loads have contributed to the wear.

Work will be happening day and night, six days a week, weather permitting.

Staged closures of on and off-ramps at the Victoria Road Interchange (Hautapu) and the Northern Interchange near Cambridge Road are planned for stages three to six, currently scheduled between June and October. Further details will be provided closer to the time, NZTA said.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time, merge early and travel at the temporary 70kph speed limit through the site.

Also coming up is resurfacing work at the southbound passing lane on SH1, just before Kentucky Road in Karāpiro. This work is expected to get underway in early to mid-March and to involve a period of night works with stop/go traffic management.