There has been excellent progress on the turnaround bays being constructed as part of improvements to SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere. With the finishing touches now being applied to the turnarounds at Gorton and Tunakawa Roads, installation of flexible median barrier can begin.

Beginning Tuesday this week, median barrier will be installed in sections from south of the Mobil Karāpiro through to Fergusson Gully Road. This work will occur overnight on weeknights, until Friday morning, 12 April (weather permitting). Motorists should expect delays as there will be periods of alternating stop/go traffic management.

This work, coupled with the median barrier prep and install continuing south between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road, will take the amount of median barrier installed between Cambridge and Piarere to just under 10km. With just a small section from the end of the Waikato Expressway remaining.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager for Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, says completing this section of the Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements will be a key milestone for the project.

“The turnarounds, coupled with the installation of median barrier, will be a big step towards preventing further deaths and serious injuries.

Ms Wilton explains that once the median barrier is installed, people driving will make use of the new turnaround bays to change direction.

“We appreciate this means a change to the way you use the road, and we acknowledge the changes may be inconvenient for some people. However, the work we are doing is proven to save lives and reduce the risk of crashes.”