Waikato Expressway resurfacing works move to next stage

Sunday, 5 July 2026

Road works continue along the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway. Pictured is the southbound lane approaching the Victoria Rd off-ramp in late February.

Preparations are under way for the next stage of resurfacing on the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway.

The transport agency said good weather and strong productivity have put the asphalt renewal works ahead of schedule.

Stage five will run from July 20 until mid-August. Crews will resurface the southbound lanes between the Tamahere and Cambridge West/Velodrome interchanges.

Stage five of the asphalt works along the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway.

The work will require the closure of the southbound off-ramp at the Cambridge West/Velodrome interchange.

NZTA said the Tamahere interchange will not be affected. However, traffic will merge into one lane south of Tamahere, with delays of up to 20 minutes expected at peak times.

'Congestion will be monitored, with alternative route traffic management adjusted as needed.'

Drivers travelling from Hamilton to Cambridge will need to detour via the Victoria Rd interchange at Hautapu. NZTA asked motorists to consider alternative routes to help ease congestion.

The resurfacing programme began in March.

Since then, the Government has set aside $1.77 billion to extend the Waikato Expressway south to Piarere.

NZTA expects work on the first stage of the Cambridge to Piarere project to start early next year, once planning approvals, permits, land purchases and final designs are complete.

Extra stages have also been added, including widening the road near Cambridge's Southern Interchange to connect with the new route.

Elsewhere in Waikato, early work is under way on the new two-lane Pepe Stream Bridge.

Repairs to the underslip on State Highway 25 at Kūaotunu Hill are continuing and are expected to finish by mid-July.

Furthermore, work is under way to replace the Ohinekaua Stream Bridge on State Highway 27, north of Morrinsville.

A 50kph speed limit is in place. A short diversion and temporary single-lane Bailey bridge are expected to be in place by late July, and drivers should expect delays.

Maintenance work on the Mangarorongo Bridge on State Highway 3, north of Ōtorohanga, is also under way and will continue until July 27.