Work will begin on laying the final asphalt surface on the Longswamp section of the Waikato Expressway from Tuesday next week.

NZ Transport Agency Waikato portfolio manager Darryl Coalter says the surfacing works, to take place on the southbound lanes, will require all traffic to move to the northbound lanes.

“The existing 70kph speed restriction will remain in place and motorists may encounter delays on Tuesday as the switch is made.

“We expect to have the final surface completed on southbound lanes by early December, with traffic using all four lanes at 100kph ahead of the holiday season.”

The northbound lanes will get their final surface in February and March next year.

The 5.9km Longswamp section of the Waikato Expressway has involved widening the existing State Highway 1 route from two-to-three lanes to four, installing side and central barriers, and strengthening local road networks. The works have also included extending Whangamarino Road to include a bridge across the expressway, connecting the eastern and western sides of SH1.