Construction kicks into high gear on new Cambridge bypass

Construction of the new 16km Cambridge bypass - the fourth of the remaining five sections of the Waikato Expressway - has kicked into high gear with major earthworks and bridge construction getting underway, says the NZ Transport Agency.

The Transport Agency’s Project Services Manager, Peter Simcock, says that one of the milestones includes commencement of the largest bridge – at 200 metres long and 40 metres high - the Karapiro Gully Viaduct which is on track to be completed by early next year.

“This was the first of the major structures to get underway and includes the installation of 64 piles driven up to 62 metres deep at the southern end of the gully and 30 metres deep at the northern end.”

Another milestone this week is the closure of Thornton Road, a busy local road, to allow construction of the new overbridge to get underway, with its completion in April next year. In the meantime a temporary diversion road is in place to minimise any inconvenience to local residents.

The first section of new road to be constructed, the St Kilda Road extension - which links to Thornton Road - opens this week.

With Pickering Road now closed, construction of the first underbridge on the route is underway, and this is expected to open to traffic in late July.

The next planned road closure will be in July when Hautapu Road will close, and this will coincide with the reopening of Pickering Road, says Peter Simcock.

“Thanks to all road users for their patience and understanding as roads have closed and speed limits have reduced in many areas. People need to continue to be mindful of the traffic changes around the different areas of the Cambridge Section, and are asked to please adhere to any posted speed limits or other traffic management operations,” says Peter Simcock.

Construction of the Expressway route from south of Tamahere to approximately 2km south of the Cambridge Golf course is taking shape and a haul road along its length is being used by construction vehicles for access and haulage. Materials sourced from site borrow areas and from offsite quarries are being supplied to the sites of the three new interchanges - the Northern Interchange (just south of Tamahere at Discombe Road), Victoria Road Interchange and Southern Interchange (south of the Cambridge Golf course).

Mr Simcock says the Cambridge Section is expected to officially open in late 2016.

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