Latest information on SH1, Cambridge to Piarere

A truck uses the new turnaround bay at the SH1/Hydro Road intersection.

SH1 Hydro Road turnaround opens ahead of schedule

The first turnaround bay, which is part of crucial safety improvements underway on State Highway 1 between Cambridge and Piarere, has been completed.

The turnaround, at the intersection of SH1 and Hydro Road, was finished ahead of schedule on Wednesday, despite working within a tight timeframe.

“We’re delighted to be able to reopen this intersection to the public ahead of time. The J Swap Contractors team has worked very hard to get this finished to a high standard within a challenging timeframe,” says Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton.

Ms Wilton also credits the support and patience of the community.

“To construct something like this on a state highway isn’t a straightforward operation and despite our best efforts, disruption was inevitable.

“The community, in particular the neighbouring residents, have showed patience and understanding throughout and we have really appreciated their support.”

The work was timed to be completed ahead of Ariki Street over the Karāpiro Dam closing on 31 July. Ms Wilton thanks Mercury for their ongoing cooperation, which enabled this work to happen in a shorter timeframe while Ariki Street was available as a detour route.

Now that the turnaround is complete, the intersection returns to its usual operation - with drivers able to turn both left and right, in and out of Hydro Road at SH1. 

“The right turn out of Hydro Road onto SH1 will remain in place until the next turnaround north of Hickey Road is constructed later in the year. At that point, the right turn out of Hydro Road will permanently close (but the right turn in will remain).” 

Project team members, from left, James Caufield (Stantec), Nael Abusaleh (Waka Kotahi), George Tsatsas (Stantec), and Andrew Frank (J Swap Contractors).

Thank you

The whole project team wishes to extend thanks to the local community for their patience and support throughout this work.

We don’t take the disruption caused during projects such as this lightly and rely heavily on the understanding of the public.

Communication has been key and was highlighted by a nice piece of feedback we recently received from a nearby resident:

"I would just like to acknowledge the extra lengths you have gone to ensure the communication of any late works has been passed on…it’s very rare these days that you come across a company/workers who takes pride not only in their own work, but the extra care taken when it comes to respecting other people’s property and their space, it is very refreshing to see."

If you have any feedback on the communication of this project, please let us know at C2P@nzta.govt.nz. We welcome any suggestions for improvement.

Why have turnarounds?

Median barriers prevent head-on crashes. When more median barriers have been installed on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere as planned, you may need to travel a bit further to turn right or turn around.

Turnaround bays provide people driving, including in large vehicles, a place to turn safely.

Benefits of turnaround bays include:

• an easier right-turn out of a side road or driveway, as you won’t need to navigate opposing lanes of traffic
• reducing the risk of a rear-end crash from someone driving behind a person turning right
• combining accessways and turning points at a safe location on the road
• providing an alternative location for people driving to safely stop, such as for maintenance and in an emergency.

Turnaround bays are going to become more common as more median barrier is installed across Aotearoa. They will be located on a state highway or on connecting local roads.

Watch this video to see how you use a turnaround bay on a state highway.

What's next?

The focus now shifts to the design and build of two more turnarounds, north of Hickey Road and at Keeley’s Reserve.

Once the turnarounds are in place, further flexible median barriers can be installed, starting with barriers between Hydro Road and the end of the Waikato Expressway.

Flexible median barriers prevent head-on collisions and already the 4km of median barrier installed further south near Piarere has proven its worth, with many hits which could have otherwise been serious crashes.

Further updates will be provided to the community ahead of any future work.

Meanwhile the tender for the SH1/SH29 roundabout project has received a great response and remains open until early August, with more information to follow.

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