Cambridge expressway resurfacing nears 75% complete

Resurfacing work on the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway is nearing 75% completion and is running ahead of schedule, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says.

The work is being carried out with contractor Fulton Hogan along the 16km stretch between the Southern Interchange and the Northern Interchange. Crews are moving through 5km sections of southbound and northbound lanes between March and December.

Since the first stage began, crews have completed the southbound and northbound lanes between the Southern Interchange and the Cambridge West and Velodrome exit at the Northern Interchange. Southbound lanes between Tamahere and the Velodrome exit are close to completion, and the team is preparing to move into Stage 6, subject to weather.

Waikato Area Manager Andy Oakley said the next phase would mark a significant point in the project.

"At the start of Stage 6 the project will be 75% complete, with 15 lane kilometres left to deliver," Oakley said.

Traffic changes

Stage 6 will require the closure of the northbound on-ramp at the Cambridge West and Velodrome Interchange. Crews will work across both northbound lanes from the on-ramp to just south of the Tamahere Interchange.

During this phase, Cambridge Road from the Velodrome roundabout to the interchange on-ramp will be limited to resident-only access. The changes are expected to affect motorists who usually use the interchange to join the expressway and travel north towards Hamilton.

Drivers from Cambridge heading north on State Highway 1 will instead need to join the expressway at the Victoria Road Interchange at Hautapu. The Tamahere Interchange will remain open, although heavier traffic is expected there, especially at peak times, as State Highway 1 traffic merges into one lane in each direction.

Oakley said motorists should expect longer journeys.

"Delays of up to 20 minutes at peak can be expected. Motorists are advised to consider all available alternative routes to ease congestion. We encourage people to check Journey Planner for the most up-to-date information and to use alternative routes where possible," he said.

Travel times will be monitored and traffic management adjusted if needed during the works.

Weather boost

Stable weather and strong output levels have helped maintain the current pace of the resurfacing programme, allowing asphalt work to continue steadily across the route.

Oakley said the disruption caused by the lane closures was necessary to maintain the road.

"We appreciate the works are disruptive, but they're also essential to ensure the expressway remains safe, resilient and ready for future growth," he said.

He said the programme had moved faster than expected.

"And we're pleased to report that progress continues to be ahead of schedule," he said.

Next phase

After Stage 6, the project team is scheduled to move to Stage 7 on the southbound lanes around the Southern Interchange. That phase is expected to include a return to the Victoria Road Interchange at Hautapu to complete asphalting on all on- and off-ramps.

The ramp works are due to be carried out at night to reduce disruption. They were not completed during earlier stages because they required stop-go traffic controls on Victoria Road, which would have caused too much disruption while expressway lane closures were in place.

The contractor also prioritised keeping the expressway open to four lanes for Fieldays, focusing first on the main carriageway rather than the interchange ramps.

"The safety of road users, the community and our teams is our priority. Thanks for your patience when travelling through the site and please follow all signage and instructions provided by our road crews," Oakley said.