Kelly Hodel/Things
It seems like a long wait for the Waikato Expressway to extend south to the Tauranga exit.
Plans to extend the Waikato Expressway south of Cambridge have been put on hold, with no funding expected over the next decade.
With the recent addition of the Hamilton section, the highway is now a four-lane stretch of SH1 from Cambridge to the Bombays.
There have been numerous calls for it to continue to Piarere, given the dangerous nature of this section of the road.
However, with the government’s focus on light rail, it’s unlikely that people will see major road infrastructure projects like Transmission Gully and Waikato Expressway anytime soon.
A VEHICLE
The wait is over – traffic can now drive on the Hamilton portion of the Waikato Expressway. This video shows vehicles driving north the day after the road opens.
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Waka Kotahi tries to get into first gear by proposing a 16km four-lane highway from the southern end of the Cambridge section to the junction of SH29/1 at Piarere.
Regional System Design Manager Jessica Andrew said they have a preferred option, have spoken to landowners and will speak to the community later in the year.
“The next step is to finalize the design. We go for Route Security and Resource Management Act. That also triggers the opportunity for landowners who want to ask us to buy their property.”
MARK TAYLOR/Things
The point, roughly, on State Highway 1 at Karapiro where the highway would turn off.
Andrew said Waka Kotahi will purchase some properties along the proposed roadway.
“There is currently no financing for construction, so it is currently forecast for construction financing after 2027.”
In the meantime, Waka Kotahi is getting things ready, so as soon as the funding is available, construction can begin quickly.
It is hoped that it will take about five years or less to build.
“There is still some work to be done before we can provide a confirmed timetable.”
Single vehicle
Progress is being made in securing the route for the extension of the Waikato Expressway south to Piarere.
The current preferred direction is for the new road to run offline to the north, further away from the river where it is now.
“The proposed new road would converge where the intersection SH29/SH1 will be the connection between Cambridge and Piarere at the point where it is built. So it would make it possible to stay there once we’ve done that broader upgrade. ”
Prior to the change of government in 2017, Cambridge to Piarere was funded for construction.
“We had active talks with those landowners to buy the land and continue construction. So when the government’s priority statement changed after the government change, those were put on hold at the time.
“We withdrew with talks with landowners. It was interrupted for a while, and then, about two years ago, we were able to get further funding to… complete the business case and start the route security process.”
Andrew acknowledged that the stretch of road is a high priority, which is why safety precautions are being taken. Those will remain when the new road is in place.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
National’s Simeon Brown said the highway opened up the Waikato (file photo).
National Transport spokesman Simeon Brown said it seems more like there will be no funding for the next 10 years after asking a select committee in June.
He said this is a result of Labour’s 2017 decision to use “the national land transport fund” to improve the state highway.
“We’ve seen a significant number of major projects across New Zealand cancel, whether it’s Cambridge to Piarere, Mill Road in Auckland, the Tauranga Northern Link, which they’ve canceled, and now they’re halfway through construction.”
Brown said the quality of infrastructure with the Waikato Expressway has really opened up the Waikato. It’s faster, it’s safer, it’s reliable.
He wouldn’t say whether National would commit to building the road if they are re-elected next year.
Tom Lee / Stuff
There have been numerous calls to extend the Waikato Expressway further south, to Piarere.
“We are certainly looking at how we can rebalance the national land transport fund so that it can invest in the infrastructure that New Zealanders need.”
A Labor spokesman said the government is committed to supporting the effective movement of people and cargo around the Waikato.
“However, not every large-scale project can be funded or delivered immediately, so priorities need to be set to ensure the best results are achieved across the program. As part of our Road to Zero road safety strategy, significant safety improvements are being made to the existing highway between Cambridge and Piarere.”