Waikato roadworks: SH1 Ngāruawāhia to close at nights for safety upgrades

Ongoing work on the Waikato Expressway section near Ngāruawāhia will see night-time southbound traffic detoured. Photo / Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency

The Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway will be closed overnight between Taupiri and Horotiu for ongoing remedial and safety works.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency said the works will see night-time southbound traffic detoured for about five weeks.

The closure will be in place overnight between the Gordonton Rd interchange at Taupiri and the Horotiu SH1/SH1C interchange from 7pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday, starting on November 12.

Due to works happening at the same time in Ngāruawāhia township, road users will be unable to use the old highway for detours.

Instead, light traffic from Taupiri interchange (via SH1B Gordonton Rd) can turn off into Lake Rd to rejoin SH1 at the Northern Interchange.

Waikato Expressway Ngāruawāhia section roadworks mean detours for light traffic and heavy vehicles will be in place from 7pm till 5am. Images / Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency

Heavy vehicles (50 tonnes and over) must use SH1B, including the local road detour around Telephone Rd, and connect to SH1 again at Cambridge or via SH26 into Hamilton.

The detours will be signposted. The Lake Rd detour will add about 10 minutes to travel times, while the freight detour will add up to 15 minutes.

The safety improvements will bring the section up to 110km/h standard. Waka Kotahi announced the works last month.

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