The roundabout replaced a high-risk T-section where SH3 (Ohaupo Road) meets SH21 (Airport Road) south of Hamilton. The contract was let to Schick Construction in December 2015 and work was completed in June 2016.
The roundabout is designed to improve safety and access to current and future industrial development in the airport area, as well as the Mystery Creek Events Centre and Fieldays. The intersection will form part of the future Southern Links network which will include a grade-separated interchange at this location.
Safety improvements are a big driver in the project. The intersection has been the scene of 24 crashes, including five fatal or serious injury crashes, in the past five years. Most involved right turns into and out of SH21. Future industrial growth around the airport business zone is the other driving force.
The two-lane-lane roundabout [PDF, 3.7 MB] will have four legs but with scope to be converted to five legs if and when required to service future development in the area. It also ties in with the future Southern Links roading network project.
The roundabout will cost about $4.5 million and is being jointly funded by the NZ Transport Agency, and the Titanium Park Joint Venture, which is developing the airport business zone.
