Latest information on SH1, Cambridge to Piarere

The recently-completed turnaround bay at the intersection of SH1 and Hydro Road.

Key safety work continues on SH1 at Keeley’s Reserve, Karāpiro

Construction of a turnaround bay at Keeley’s Reserve on State Highway 1 (SH1), east of Cambridge, is set to start the week of Monday 11 September.

The turnaround bay is the second to be built between Cambridge and Piarere this year and will provide drivers with another safe place to pull off the highway to change direction.

Waka Kotahi Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton says the work has been timed to avoid the busy summer period.

“The reserve will be closed for the construction period, which is expected to be up to nine weeks, weather permitting.

“We are prioritising having this turnaround completed before the busy summer months when we know the reserve will be in demand by visitors in motorhomes and people accessing the lake.

“In addition to construction, we are improving the lighting, and therefore safety, of the reserve entrance, by installing a new solar-powered light. Native plants will also be added to soften the look of the turnaround and enhance the reserve environment,” says Ms Wilton.

Once completed, the right-turn out of Keeley’s Reserve onto SH1 will remain open until the turnaround at Tunakawa Road is built early next year and more flexible safety median barriers are installed at which point the right-turn out of Keeley’s Reserve will be permanently closed.

“We want to thank all road users in advance for their patience while this work gets underway. We’ve seen the benefits from turnaround bays and we’re looking forward to having another one close by.”

Lake access/traffic information

Boat users are asked to use alternative boat ramps to access Lake Karāpiro during this time, with ramps available at Karāpiro Domain, Moana Roa Recreational Reserve and Horahora Domain.

During the work, the speed limit near the reserve will reduce from 100km/h to 50km/h northbound and 70km/h southbound (Monday to Saturday from 7am-6pm). Motorists are advised to prepare for minor delays.

Check out the frequently asked questions on our website. If you have a question that's not answered here, please let us know.

Safer turning for all

Construction of the Keely’s Reserve turnaround bay follows the recently-completed turnaround bay at the intersection of SH1 and Hydro Road. Check out the video below to see it in action.

These safe turnarounds are crucial pieces needed before additional flexible safety median barriers can be installed on this high-risk road.

See our website for more information.

SH1/SH29

Waka Kotahi is making the intersection of State Highway 1 (SH1) and State Highway 29 (SH29) at Piarere safer.

Funded by the New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP), we will be replacing the high-risk T intersection with a roundabout. SH1 is one of New Zealand’s most critical corridors and the roundabout has been designed to also allow connections with a potential future expressway between Cambridge and Piarere.

People living, working and passing through this area will see activity from late 2023 as work begins on the two-lane roundabout. We are close to finalising the tender process and will work through the construction programme with the successful tenderer. We will then be able to provide more detail of the next steps and timeline. 

Construction is expected to take up to two years. View the web page here.

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