A number of different detours will be in place for Raglanders heading north from Sunday morning. Waikato District Council advises that these start with closures in the Te Kowahi area on Sunday 13th from 5am to 7pm, followed by SH1 being closed at Huntly on Sunday night from 7.30pm and then further closures on the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway from early on Monday morning (14th) for up to four days and nights.
Raglanders heading north may be better off going via Waingaro and sticking to the road on the western side of the Waikato River rejoining SH1 at Rangiriri.
Media Releases, Waikato District Council, 11 December 2015
Traffic detours coming up in the Waikato district for Ngaruawahia and Te Kowhai
Detours are needed from Sunday while roadworks are underway in two separate areas of the Waikato.
There will be detours in place while work is done on the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway from early on Monday morning for up to four days and nights.
Waikato District Council Service Delivery Manager, Tim Harty said residents should be aware of the increased traffic volumes through Taupiri, Ngaruawahia and Horotiu and take extra care.
“In particular, pedestrians crossing Great South Road should be extra careful during this time,” he said.
From 7am on Monday, 14 December south-bound lanes will be closed for up to two days to allow drainage works to be completed. Then north-bound traffic will be similarly detoured for up to two days.. The detour route is Taupiri to Horotiu via the former State Highway through Ngaruawahia. Motorists should allow five minutes extra travel time.
The NZ Transport Agency says the works may be completed earlier than the 48 hours for each direction in which case travellers will be switched back on to the Expressway.
State Highway 39 traffic will also be diverted during day-long road works in the Te Kowhai area on Sunday, 13 December. The works will take place on SH39 near the Koura Drive roundabout and include pavement repairs.
Crews will be on-site from 5am until 7pm on Sunday 13 December 2015, weather dependent. All through traffic will be diverted on to Onion Road and Horotiu Road. Motorists should allow extra time for traveling in this area while detours are in place.
Huntly footbridge reinstalled Sunday night
Huntly’s footbridge will be reinstalled overnight on Sunday, 13 December although it will not be open for public use until Tuesday next week.
Waikato District Council contractors will be working on the reinstallation from 7.30pm on Sunday until around 1am on Monday, 14 December.
Motorists travelling along State Highway 1 through Huntly may encounter short delays on Sunday night while the work is being done.
Council Service Delivery General Manager, Tim Harty said that detours will be in place while the footbridge is being erected with SH1 closed between Fletcher Street and Tainui Bridge Road.
“We are expecting to have the footbridge ready for people to use in time for the festive season,” he said.