Latest information on SH1, Cambridge to Piarere

Median barrier has recently been installed on SH1 between Gorton and Fergusson Gully Roads.

End in sight for stretch of SH1 improvements

Crews carrying out improvements on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere continue to make strong strides towards completion, with much of the work expected to be completed by the end of June 2024.

A key section between Gorton Road and Keeley’s Reserve is now complete, with turnaround bays in place at Gorton and Tunakawa Roads and flexible median barrier installed in sections through to Fergusson Gully Road.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, says this critical safety infrastructure is a big step towards preventing further deaths and serious injuries.

“As well as saving lives and preventing trauma, these upgrades will result in fewer serious crashes which will mean the highway is more efficient, with less closures required.

“We have already seen the difference median barrier can make. Since 2020, barrier between Cambridge and Piarere has been struck 96 times – that’s 96 incidents which could have resulted in serious head-on crashes.”

Further south, work continues between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road where median barrier is being installed and is expected to be completed by late June 2024.

Meanwhile further north, the fifth turnaround bay, just north of Hickey Road, is also due to be completed in June along with the installation of median barrier from the end of the Waikato Expressway through to Hydro Road. Read more on this below.

Ms Wilton says all of the above work will mean more than 12kms of median barrier will have been installed on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere by July 2024.

“We thank everyone, particularly the local residents, for their patience so far and for the remainder of this work.”

More information.

Night works on SH1 near Hickey Road, Cambridge

The finishing touches are being applied to the fifth turnaround bay in the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements project, just north of Hickey Road.

Along with constructing the turnaround bay, we’ve widened the entrance road at the weigh station on SH1, between Hickey and Hydro Roads, and will be installing median and side safety barriers.

Night works began Tuesday 4 June, to undertake line marking, followed by the removal of existing line marking and the installation of barriers.

This work will continue overnight on Sunday to Friday, between 7pm and 6am, until late June (weather dependent). Motorists should expect delays as there will be periods of alternating stop/go traffic management.

Around 3km of median barrier will be installed, from the end of the Waikato Expressway through to just past Hydro Road. 

All work in this area is expected to be completed by the end of June 2024.

Work is well underway on the southern approach road for the new SH1/SH29 roundabout.

Progress in Piarere

The new roundabout continues to take shape at the intersection of SH1 and SH29 in Piarere.

Construction is underway on the southern side, with the Tīrau approach road being built. To safely accommodate this work, traffic south of the roundabout has been moved onto a recently constructed section of road adjacent to SH1. This is a short bypass road which rejoins SH1 before the intersection, continues to operate as normal.

This arrangement is expected to remain in place until September 2024, when construction will commence on the next approach road and another temporary layout change will be put in place. More information will be provided to road users ahead of each change in layout.

Meanwhile the 2 underpass structures have been installed on the SH1 and SH29 approaches and pavement works are ongoing.

Motorists are reminded to drive with care through the site. A temporary speed limit of 60km/h is in place around the project site to protect road workers and ensure the safety of everyone travelling through the area.

Construction started early 2024 and is expected to take up to 2 years.

More information.

The turnaround bay at Keeley's Reserve.

Turnaround bays to be used at all times

Motorists are reminded that it is essential to use the new turnaround bays to change direction, following reports of people risking their lives and others’ by making dangerous manoeuvres to avoid the use of the bays.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, says this is extremely concerning and not only reckless, but also illegal.

“We appreciate we have changed the way people need to use the road and acknowledge the changes may feel inconvenient for some people. We understand some people need to travel further to make a right turn, but in most instances, this is a matter of an additional few minutes of travel time. We believe the consequence of not making it home altogether is far, far worse.”

See how to use a turnaround bay here.

Cambridge to Piarere Expressway

This project has been identified as a Road of National Significance in the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS2024).

Timing and funding will be determined as part of the 2024–27 National Land Transport Plan process. View the indicative timeline below.

In brief:

Fieldays 2024: Thousands of visitors are attending Fieldays this week, with large volumes of traffic in and around the area. Motorists are advised to check Journey Planner at www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner before beginning their journey to and from Fieldays, or if travelling through the area.

Fergusson Gully lighting: We have installed lights at the intersection of Fergusson Gully Road and are working with the local network provider to arrange connection to the nearest power source. This is expected to take place during the week of 17 June, with the lights to be operational by the week of 24 June.

Additional information

For more information on the Cambridge to Piarere project, contact us at c2p@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/c2p