Drivers coming and going from Tamahere will be using the new link road and bridge later this month, as the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway heads to completion.

From Tuesday night, 26 October, the temporary intersection connecting Cherry Lane, Bollard Road and Tamahere Eventide village with State Highway 1 will close. All traffic to and from the eastern side of Tamahere will be directed over the east-west link road which connects the community to the western side of the highway.

This is the first of three traffic connections to open for Tamahere. The only access to and from the city will be via the Tamahere Interchange or Newell Road until the others are in place.

Later this year, Stage 2 will see the on-ramp over Cambridge Road Bridge open, providing direct access to the Cherry Lane, Bollard Road and Eventide village community.

Next year, Stage 3 will see the on-ramp from the link road to the city open, completing the Southern Interchange connections.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional manager infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, said the recommended Stage 1 route in and out of the city is via the Tamahere Interchange.

“The alternate route via Newell Road is not recommended as additional traffic would increase safety risks at this intersection, as well as slowing traffic on Newell Road and the state highway.”

Wilton said that while the agency would prefer to open all local road connections at the same time, that was not possible due to the need to stage work in a tight construction area alongside a busy state highway.

“This is a significant milestone for the project, with more to come as we head toward the finish line in the middle of next year.”