Hamilton roundabout upgrade begins before hundreds of workers move into new ACC building

The Tristram Street and Collingwood Street roundabout, with the new, almost completed ACC building in the background. Photo / Hamilton City Council

Traffic improvements for users of Hamilton’s Tristram Street and Collingwood Street roundabout in the central city have started, with 700 more workers expected at the new ACC building in the New Year.

Hamilton City Council’s city transportation unit director, Gordon Naidoo, said although the project aims to make the intersection safer for all road users, that’s not the only reason for the works.

“By installing shared paths, cycle lanes and safer places for pedestrians and people on bikes to cross the road, we’re enabling the community to connect to people and places in safe, accessible, and smart ways – no matter how they choose to travel,” said Naidoo.

Raised zebra crossings and cycle crossings will replace the existing crossing points on Tristram Street and Collingwood Street to encourage drivers to slow down and give way to people crossing the road.

Once the new ACC building at the junction is complete in early 2023, these crossings will help about 700 new staff cross the road safely.

The new cycle crossings, paired with designated bike lanes and shared paths, will improve the biking network through the area, from the Tristram Street and Thackeray Street roundabout through to the Tristram Street and Ward Street intersection.

The council says it acknowledges that the area is very busy, particularly around peak times, so most of the works on Tristram Street are planned at night to ensure less disruption to traffic.

“With about 22,000 vehicle movements each day, it’s never going to be an easy roundabout to complete roadworks at, but we’re confident in our approach,” said Naidoo.

“We’re working with the businesses and community to ensure impacts are kept to a minimum throughout construction. This also includes completing an upgrade of the water main under the road while we are working in the area.

“This is to ensure we only dig once to minimise impacts to residents and businesses.”

There will be some works during the day to upgrade the water main and complete shared paths. Pedestrians may be asked to use the footpath on the other side of the road at times. People will continue to have full access to businesses in the area.

The council says road users should expect delays at Tristram Street (from Ward Street to Thackeray Street), and Collingwood Street (from Anglesea Street to Ruakiwi Road) until mid-December while the works are under way.

Most of the works will be completed by Christmas. Workers will return in mid to late January 2023 to finish any minor works and water connections.