Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The journey through Karāpiro is set to get a little bit easier, with the completion of works on the intersection of State Highway 1 and Karāpiro Road.
New line marking and signage have been installed near this busy intersection, including new electronic signs that will display safety messages. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says these safety messages will help to remind drivers of the importance of being vigilant around this intersection.
“The intersection at SH1/Karāpiro Road can be very busy, with local traffic heading towards Karāpiro School, the Mobil service station, and residences, interregional traffic connecting to State Highway 29 and heavy vehicles heading towards the quarry.
“The improvements we’ve made to the intersection, along with the electronic signage, will help to improve safety for all road users”, says Darryl Coalter, Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery for Waikato/Bay of Plenty (Acting).
Since 2020 NZTA has been installing a range of safety improvements between Cambridge and Piarere aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on this stretch of road. This has included widening the road, having wider centre lines, installing turnaround bays and median barriers, and other safety treatments.
Improving road safety remains a top priority for NZTA but how we invest in road safety is changing.
Our focus is on delivering safe roading infrastructure via the Roads of National Significance and Roads of Regional Significance, providing enhanced maintenance and highway resilience as well as increased support for NZ Police enforcement.
“We investigated the possibility of installing a roundabout to replace the T-intersection, which would have been an interim step until the new interchange, as a part Cambridge to Piarere expressway project, began. With construction on the interchange expected to begin in late-2026, the roundabout wasn’t prioritised for funding via the current 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme,” says Mr Coalter.
“We are pleased that we have been able to progress these intersection improvements in the meantime.”
The Cambridge to Piarere expressway Road of National Significance project is 16-km long expressway with 4-lanes from the southern end of the Waikato Expressway near Cambridge to the new SH1/SH29 roundabout at Piarere. It will give road users more reliable travel times and improve safety further.
Here’s a concept animation showing how the new Cambridge to Piarere expressway may look:
Video: SH1 Cambridge to Piarere concept design – October 2024
Learn more about it here:
