Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Great progress has been made on the new roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 1 and State Highway 29 in Piarere and motorists can look forward to travelling over it shortly.
Piarere roundabout approaching major milestone
“Motorists will be using the new roundabout by the end of September,“ says Jo Wilton, Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
“The project won’t be finished by then, but we will have two temporary approaches in action, while work continues on the third (SH1 Tīrau) approach and we’re sure motorists will be eager to use the new roundabout as soon as possible.”
To enable the traffic switch, a SH1 southbound lane closure is required so a temporary tie-in to the intersection can be constructed.
The 1-day SH1 southbound closure will take place on Tuesday 24 September from 7am (subject to weather), impacting Hamilton to Tīrau traffic. Motorists will be required to detour via SH29, SH27, to SH1 adding around 12 minutes to journey times.
Northbound traffic will not be impacted, and access will remain for residents, school buses and emergency services. Traffic on SH29 and traffic on SH1 between Piarere and Cambridge will also not be affected.
Once the temporary tie-in is completed, the SH1 southbound lane is expected to re-open early evening on 24 September.
The new layout will see SH1 southbound traffic use the roundabout to turn onto the temporary road to carry on their journey south.
SH1 Tīrau traffic heading to SH29 will also use the temporary tie-in road, with a give way rule in place, when turning right onto SH1 to the new roundabout and exiting at SH29. SH1 Tīrau traffic heading north will enter a slip lane before merging with other northbound traffic before merging with other northbound traffic.
“This temporary arrangement is expected to remain in place until late 2024 and people are asked to take extra care when travelling through the area and work zone,” says Ms Wilton.
Night works will also be carried out on Monday 23 September with stop/go in place from 7pm until 7am to undertake line marking ahead of the closure.
A temporary speed limit of 60km/h remains in place around the project site to protect road workers and ensure the safety of everyone travelling.
“Construction of the roundabout got underway in January 2024 and is on track to be finished in mid-late 2025. It will have 3 approaches along with a fourth stub for the future expressway.
“Once complete, the roundabout will improve efficiency, connectivity and safety on a high-volume traffic route, which is one of New Zealand’s most critical corridors. It will also connect with the future expressway between Cambridge and Piarere,” Ms Wilton says.
Southbound closure and detour information:
- The 1-day SH1 southbound closure will take place on Tuesday 24 September from 7am (subject to weather).
- Traffic travelling south on SH1 from Hamilton to Tīrau will be required to detour via SH29, SH27, to SH1.
- Traffic travelling to Matamata/Tauranga on SH29 will continue as per normal.
- Traffic travelling north from Tīrau on SH1 will use a temporary road to connect to SH29 by the roundabout, where they can continue to SH1 (using the roundabout) or SH29.
- Traffic travelling to Cambridge or Hamilton from SH29 to SH1 will travel through the roundabout.
- Traffic travelling on SH29 to SH1 (Tīrau) will turn left onto the temporary road and connect back to SH1.
View maps
High resolution pictures available on request.
For more information please contact:
Natasha Utting
Media Manager
Mobile: 021 507 990
Email: natasha.utting@nzta.govt.nz
