Latest information on SH1, Cambridge to Piarere

Hickey Road turnaround bay construction slowed

Construction of the fifth turnaround bay in the Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements project, just north of Hickey Road, is progressing slower than planned, awaiting the relocation of telecommunication cables.

Our contractors began establishing the site on Monday 4 March, during which time the cables were discovered. Necessary arrangements are now being made for these to be moved.

In the meantime, a shoulder closure remains in place at the site but any effect on travel times in the area should be minor.

Our contractors will continue work in earnest as soon as possible, with the aim of completing construction in June (weather permitting).

The Hickey Road intersection with SH1 has been the site of several serious and fatal crashes, and the turnaround bay—along with new median barriers—will be a big step towards preventing further deaths and serious injuries.

Along with constructing the turnaround bay and installing median barriers, our contractors will also be widening the road at the weigh station on SH1 and installing some side barriers.

Thanks for your support and understanding while we make these important improvements to this road.

Visit our website for more on the project.

Why are we installing median barriers?

Flexible road safety median barriers prevent head-on collisions and save lives, reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured in crashes by 75 percent.

Flexible barriers catch you before you hit something harder like a pole, tree or oncoming car. If you hit a flexible barrier, the steel cables flex, slowing down your vehicle and keeping it upright. They absorb the impact so you and the people with you, don’t.

We understand that once more median barriers are in place on SH1, you may need to change the way you use the road. For instance, those with median barrier installed in front of their property will need to turn left and travel to the nearest turnaround, rather than waiting for an opportunity to turn right across the state highway.

The changes can mean some people need to travel further to make a right turn or consider their journeys differently following these upgrades. The improvements are all about keeping people safe and the work we are doing is proven to save lives and reduce the risk of crashes, while also improving efficiency. 

There are more than 20,000 vehicles travelling this highway every day. Each crash has the potential to impact highway traffic flow for several hours. These safety upgrades will result in fewer crashes which will mean the highway is more efficient and can support productivity and economic growth in the region.

Extensive earthworks are underway at the new SH1/SH29 roundabout.

It's a dirty job

Roadworkers have been busy at the site of the new State Highway 1/29 roundabout at Piarere and are well underway with the required earthworks.

The roundabout will be 60 metres wide and 4 metres higher at its centre than the current site level. This means a lot of fill material is needed to build up the site. Currently around 150 trucks a day are bringing fill to the site, which gives you an idea of the scale of earthworks required.

The bulk of the earthworks should be completed by April, after which the focus will shift to the construction of a local access road for nearby properties and the installation of stormwater services.

Motorists should expect delays when travelling in the area due to this increase in vehicle movements, along with other work sites near the intersection.

Please follow signage and any instructions you receive from roadworkers. Visit our website for more information about this project.

Get size wise

As mentioned above, the roundabout will be 60 metres wide and around 4 metres higher than the current site level at its centre. This is due to a variety of factors:

- The ground level needs to be raised due to the current deficit between the site and existing road level.

- The height allows for the 3 state highway approaches, the underpass structures and a fourth connection for the future expressway. The 2 underpasses are for walking and cycling connections.

- The 60m width of the roundabout allows for 2 lanes, an approach speed of 90km/h and facilitates safe freight movements. The approach roads will be built up to ensure visibility remains.

Gorton/Tunakawa turnaround bays

The Gorton Road turnaround is now in place and the right turn onto Gorton Road has been reinstated.

The focus has now shifted to the Tunakawa Road turnaround (pictured below). During construction there will be no right turn onto SH1 from Tunakawa Road. Motorists will need to make use of the Keeley's Reserve turnaround to change direction.

Once the turnaround construction is complete, the installation of median barrier from Tunakawa Road to Fergusson Gully Road can commence. This is expected to occur towards the end of March, with all work completed by mid-April 2024.

What's next?

Keeley's Reserve: The turnaround lighting will be installed in conjunction with upcoming concrete work. An island will be installed to restrict traffic turning right out of Keeley's Reserve, once the Gorton Road and Tunakawa Road turnarounds are in place and the median barrier between these, and the reserve has been installed.

SH1 Karāpiro: Preparation for median barrier installation between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road is currently underway, with barrier to be in place by late June 2024.

Cambridge to Piarere expressway: We’re working through the resource consents and designation phase for the expressway which will protect the route for future construction once funding becomes available.

SH1, Cambridge to Piarere was listed as a road of national significance in the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS), which is currently out for consultation. The GPS outlines the Government's plans and priorities for investment in the country’s transport system. 

Once consultation is complete (early April) and the GPS is finalised, it will inform decision-making for the next 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). We expect the NLTP to be adopted in late August.

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