Waikato Expressway works will mean some overnight detours via Ngaruawahia

An overnight detour of some SHI traffic via Ngaruawahia will be required from time to time over a period of six months or longer. Photo / NZME

Tie-in works for the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway will see an overnight detour of some SHI traffic via Ngaruawahia being required from time to time over a period of six months or longer.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the first of the closures and detours - which will also see some heavy vehicle restrictions - will be on Tuesday, August 17.

The detours will take State Highway 1 southbound traffic via Ngaruawahia while night works are done where the Hamilton section of the expressway, which is under construction, joins the Ngaruawahia section.

The detours will take State Highway 1 traffic via Ngaruawahia while night works are done. Image / Supplied

On Tuesday, 17 August, all southbound traffic will be detoured from Taupiri to Horotiu between 8pm and 5am. The closure is required to move and extend temporary steel barriers which provide protection for road workers.

High productivity and over-dimension vehicles will need to use State Highway 26 and State Highway 1B due to the weight restriction at Ngaruawahia's town bridge, Waka Kotahi says.
In the event of poor weather, work will be moved to the next suitable night – August 18 or 19.

The Hamilton section tie-in works will see this detour required from time to time over the next six to nine months. Most work is being done behind barriers with traffic reduced to a single lane north and south in the works area.

The 22km Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway opens to traffic next year.

Meanwhile, Waka Kotahi reminds drivers that State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range is scheduled to close overnight on Sunday, August 29, as essential maintenance work is carried out.

The road will be closed from the intersections with State Highway 24 and State Highway 28 at Te Poi, through to the intersection with State Highway 29 and Cambridge Rd in Tauriko.

tate Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range is scheduled to close overnight on Sunday, August 29. Photo / NZME

The closure will be in place from 8pm Sunday, August 29, until 5am Monday, August 30.

The detours for this closure are significant. Road users are advised to plan their travel outside this closure where possible, use alternative routes and allow extra time for travel.

Waikato System Manager Cara Lauder says the closure ensures the safety of both the travelling public and the contractors working on the road.

"Completing the road maintenance work safely is our priority. If we were to keep the road open for this work, there would be a number of delays and stoppages as there will be multiple crews working across all lanes at various locations. Having that many sites set up with traffic management, reduced speed limits and stoppages increases the safety risk to the public and our crew members."

Contractors will work on several sections to ensure the most efficient use of the closure.

"Having the road closed for a night will reduce the number of daytime disruptions to people when the roads are busier. We will do our best to carry out as much work as possible and will have multiple crews on-site to ensure we make the most of the closure."

This work is part of the Waka Kotahi preventative maintenance programme to keep roads in a safe condition during the colder, wetter winter months.

Lauder says SH29 over the Kaimai Range is difficult terrain, exposed to many weather events and has high traffic volumes.

"This means the road needs to be maintained regularly, which may include additional maintenance as we enter the summer season. We endeavour to communicate any closures or delays to industry and the public as early as possible."

Access for emergency services and residents will be maintained at all times. If this work is impacted by weather or other unforeseen circumstances it may be postponed until overnight on Monday, August 30.

Road users are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) for up-to-date information.