Project stages
The Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway is in the design phase with the work being undertaken by Opus International Consultants for NZTA.
The first stage - “Preliminary Investigation” was undertaken by Opus International Consultants for NZTA (then known as Transit New Zealand) in 1991.
The second stage – “Secondary Investigation and Specimen Design” is now being undertaken by Opus International Consultants for NZTA includes:
- Review of the preliminary design of the alignment that formed the basis of the designation, including reassessment against latest NZTA objectives and against latest safety and environmental standards. This will include reviewing intersection forms.
- Undertaking more detailed geotechnical, engineering and environmental investigations to confirm the alignment, the amount of land required for it and what works will be required to meet conditions imposed on the designation.
- Securing resource consents required for construction earthworks, stream crossings, stormwater drainage and the like.
- Developing the design and project documentation to the point where a construction contract will be able to be tendered.
The third stage – “Detailed design and construction” will commence following the completion of stage two with a target completion date for construction of 2015.
Planned route
The 10.4km long Cambridge section will pass to the north and east of Cambridge. It will connect with the Tamahere Section to the north and with the existing SH1 to the south. The Tamahere section is due for completion by 2016.
Interchanges
Interchanges to connect to the local roading network will be provided at the northern end of the project at Discombe Road, at the crossing point of the existing SH1B Victoria Road and at the south end of the section where it links with the existing SH1 just south of Cambridge Golf Club.
Properties on the designated route
Inevitably the Expressway will pass through land currently owned and operated by a range of individuals, farms and organisations. Processes for managing land purchase or compensation for those affected by the new road are laid out in the Public Works Act and summarised in a useful guide “Landowner’s rights” which is available from Land Information New Zealand or via their website www.linz.govt.nz.
Opportunities to comment and input
In parallel with the investigations, NZTA and Opus International Consultants will be consulting landowners, tangata whenua, stakeholders and other affected parties to ensure they fully understand any issues that could affect the highway design. This will include developing further details of mitigation measures that formed part of the designation process including ecological restoration, traffic noise mitigation, erosion and sediment control landscape design and protocols in case of accidental archaeological discovery. There was a public Information Day in Cambridge on 11 August 2010 following which consent applications are finalised and lodged. For further information on the Resource Management Act see www.rma.govt.nz.
