MEDIA RELEASE

15 August 2016 | WAIKATO & BAY OF PLENTY

Find out more about the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway at open day on Monday August 22

People will have the chance to find out more about the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway and changes to local roads in their area at an open day this month.

The NZ Transport Agency is holding an open day at Rototuna Junior High School on Monday, 22 August from 4pm-7pm. People can attend any time during these hours.

The project team will be on hand to answer questions about the proposed construction programme, which begins in October 2016.

The programme includes changes to local roads, including a plan to temporarily close Kay Road to through traffic for a period of 13 months during construction.

The Transport Agency’s acting Waikato/ Bay of Plenty highways manager, Niclas Johansson says the project team will start work on bridges at Kay Road, Gordonton Road and Ruakura Road before Christmas.

“Sealed, traffic diversions will be built around the work sites at Gordonton Road and Ruakura Road to minimise disruption to local traffic,” he says.

“Unfortunately, it is not possible to build a diversion at Kay Road because the terrain is too steep, so our plan is to close the road at the bridge site for up to 13 months.

“Access to all properties on Kay Road will be maintained during construction.”

Mr Johansson says the project team want to get feedback about the plan and other areas of the project from as many people as possible.

“We want to know how these changes may affect the community so we can look at ways to minimise the impact as much as possible,” he says.

“People will also have the chance to find out about how the team is working with Waikato District Council and Hamilton City Council to minimise disruption to traffic on local roads, and get clarity on any questions they may have before construction starts.”

A graphic showing proposed changes can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6g7e1e1gaexk3hk/AADOtEQx8-_XDrDIATydVt7Ea?dl=0

Editors notes

The Hamilton section will be the largest roading project to be undertaken in the Waikato region.

The 21 kilometre long project is one of seven sections that make up the Waikato Expressway, a Road of National Significance (RoNS) identified by the Government as being key to unlocking New Zealand’s economic growth.

Once complete, the expressway will be the key transport corridor for the region, connecting Auckland to the agricultural and business centres of Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

The Hamilton Section of the Waikato Expressway will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, reduce travel times and boost economic growth in the Waikato.

It is expected to be complete in 2020, and is being built on behalf of the Government by an Alliance made up of Fletcher, Beca, Higgins Coffey and Hick Bros alongside the Transport Agency.

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