The tender process is underway for the second section of the Cambridge to Piarere extension of the Waikato Expressway, as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) keeps its foot on the accelerator on procurement for the Roads of National Significance project.

Cambridge to Piarere will support safer, more reliable journeys on one of the country’s key transport corridors, while strengthening connections between Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

NZTA Project Sponsor, Infrastructure Development and Delivery, Adrian Jones, says the next step is to identify the right contractor for the second section of the project. 

"Shortlisted contractors are now being invited to detail how they intend to design and construct this section of the expressway. The tender process will run through to mid-2027, when we expect to award the contract,” Mr Jones says.

The second section will build a new section of expressway through farmland, connecting with the SH1/SH29 roundabout at Piarere. 

"As we’re building this section away from the existing state highway, the travelling public won’t get to see the sheer scale of this work until we’re finished, but it’s the biggest part of this project by far. 

“It’ll be 9.2km long, with 3 ecological bridges over natural inland wetlands, streams and roads, and approximately 4 million cubic metres cut and 2 million cubic metres of fill. It’s a big earthworks job.

“We’re continuing to make good progress with our procurement of the first section of this project and move the project further toward construction. It’s a really exciting time for us.

“The expressway will further improve safety, support economic growth and provide a more resilient connection for people and freight travelling through the central North Island,” Mr Jones says.