Work on Waikato Expressway steams ahead

The final part of the Waikato Expressway will start later this year, with Downer NZ Limited being awarded the contract to build the $115 million Longswamp section, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says.

The project is the final of seven sections of the 102 kilometre long Waikato Expressway, a Road of National Significance identified by the Government as key to unlocking New Zealand’s economic growth.

“This means all sections of the Waikato Expressway will be under construction by the end of 2016. The Longswamp section is the final piece of this transformational project,” Mr Bridges says.

Construction of the 5.9km project will start in October this year and will see the existing SH1 widened to four lanes between Hampton Downs and Rangiriri.  A new local road bridge will also be built over the four-lane Expressway.

“This project will improve connections for the local community across the Expressway and make them much safer.

“Once finished the Waikato Expressway will be a game changer for this country. It will create jobs, boost industry and improve safety for all motorists travelling on this section of State Highway 1.

“It will reduce congestion and unlock economic potential by providing stronger links between the business and agricultural centres of Auckland and the Waikato, as well as the Bay of Plenty.” 

The project is expected to be complete in 2018.