Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas

People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users while NZTA got this job done. Finishing these works before the Christmas holidays will be a welcome relief for motorists who regularly use this important transport corridor.

“NZTA contractors have been working for more than two years to bring this section of expressway up to the same standard as neighbouring expressway sections which have been built to allow for a speed limit of 110km/h.

“As Minister of Transport, my goal is to ensure that people and freight can get to where they want to go quickly and safely. It’s pleasing to see these works completed so that road users can travel at faster speeds across this section of the successful Waikato Expressway.

The remedial works undertaken by NZTA included:

• Sealing over the median area – to limit moisture entering the pavement and prevent further failures
• Reshaping outside lanes
• Minor drainage improvements
• Various pavement treatments depending on the existing pavement condition
• Asphalt surfacing

The safety improvements saw side barriers made continuous, some barriers upgraded, additional maintenance and turnaround bays for emergency services, shoulder widening and some lighting relocations.

The remaining remedial works to complete the project can be undertaken from behind the new safety barriers and without traffic management.

New year new surface for SH3 Ōhaupō Road  

To kick start the New Year, State Highway 3 (SH3) through the Ōhaupō Village in the Waikato will be getting a refreshing make over, with a 7-week road build taking place from Tuesday 7 January 2025. 

Both lanes of SH3 on Ōhaupō Road, between Ryburn Road and Forkert Road, are being rebuilt says Andrew Oakley, Waikato System Manager at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).  

“The work involves digging down 450mm, removing the existing road surface and replacing it with new asphalt layers. 

The work is being done in two phases starting from the signalised pedestrian crossing to 100 metres south of Great Collins Street. This section is expected to take 3 weeks to complete. 

Phase 2 of the works will be from the signalised pedestrian crossing to 50 metres north of Forkert Road. This includes drainage work and is expected to take 4 weeks to complete. 

One lane will remain open for southbound traffic at all times. 

Northbound light vehicles will be detoured 24/7 for duration of the works. The detour is via Ryburn Road and Forkert Road, this will add approximately 8 minutes to people’s journey. 

Heavy vehicles including buses, overweight and over dimension vehicles cannot take the detour. They will be stacked and allowed through the worksite with delays of up to 30 minutes expected. 

“Closing 1 direction of traffic to light vehicles means we can complete this work more safely and efficiently. 

“We’re asking any residents within the worksite to get in touch if they need assistance getting in and out of their properties. While the road surface is being dug out there will be no access in and out of properties for approximately 8 days,” says Mr Oakley. 

Emergency services will have access at all times through the work site. 

“We understand this work and the associated closures are disruptive and inconvenient, and we appreciate everyone’s patience.

This work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.