Project Details

Waikato Expressway
SH1
From Mercer in the north through to just South of Cambridge.
Purpose: To provide a continuous divided four-lane highway between Auckland and Cambridge that will improve safety and reduce travel times and congestion on State Highway 1.
EstimatedCost: $1Billion+*
Start Date: November 2000
Location: From Mercer in the north through to just South of Cambridge.
Engineering Features: The route generally follows the existing highway alignment from Mercer south to Ohinewai. From Ohinewai south, it follows a 'green fields' alignment, with the exception of the Te Rapa Bypass and Tamahere to Cambridge sections.
Interesting Facts: The Waikato Expressway is the key strategic transport corridor for the Waikato region, and has been identified by the Government as a Road of National Significance.

This length of SH1 is the main southern road access to Auckland, and links New Zealand's 'Golden Triangle' of population and economic growth - Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Other:

The Waikato Expressway is being constructed in sections as priorities are determined and funding becomes available. The individual projects that make up the expressway are:

  • Mercer to Longswamp (Completed)
  • Longswamp to Te Kauwhata Four-Laning
  • Rangiriri Bypass (Four-Laning)
  • Rangiriri to South of Ohinewai (Completed)
  • Huntly Bypass (South of Ohinewai to Taupiri)
  • Ngaruawahia Bypass (Taupiri to Horotiu)
  • Te Rapa Bypass
  • Hamilton Bypass (Horotiu to Tamahere)
  • Tamahere to Cambridge (Four-Laning)
  • Cambridge Bypass
Visit the Waikato Expressway Website

* Transit New Zealand's 10-year State Highway Plan and Forecast for 2006/07 to 2015/16
More Information: Barry Dowsett