Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is an expressway?
  2. What is the Waikato Expressway?
  3. Why is it called the Waikato Expressway?
  4. Why do we need an expressway?
  5. What benefits will this project bring?
  6. When will the expressway be built?
  7. Will Hamilton roads be affected by increased traffic from the expressway?
  8. What will be done in the short-term to manage SH1 traffic flows through Hamilton?

1. What is an expressway?

The Waikato Expressway will be similar to the existing expressway from Pokeno to Ohinewai and at Tamahere, near Hamilton. An expressway looks similar to a motorway, and generally features two lanes of traffic flowing in each direction. These traffic flows are separated by a grass median strip or crash barrier to prevent head-on crashes. Expressways differ from Motorways in that they may initially have `at grade’ intersections (on one level with no over or underpass), and cyclists and pedestrians are able to use them.

2. What is the Waikato Expressway?

An expressway is in place from the end of Auckland’s Southern Motorway at the top of the Bombay Hills to Longswamp and from Rangiriri to Ohinewai. The Waikato Expressway will eventually extend that expressway south to Cambridge.

The expressway will eventually bypass all urban areas, including Ohinewai, Huntly, Taupiri, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton and Cambridge.

^ Back to top

3. Why is it called the Waikato Expressway?

This project will be built in stages over an extended time period. Adopting this name will clearly identify each stage as part of the same overall strategy. It will also help distinguish the Waikato Expressway projects from other proposed four-laning and arterial projects around Hamilton.

4. Why do we need an expressway?

The current highway is congested with minimal passing opportunities. This increases journey times and leads to frustration and serious crashes. The Waikato region has clearly indicated in its Regional Land Transport Strategy that the number one transport issue for the region is to build the Waikato Expressway as soon as possible.

^ Back to top

5. What benefits will this project bring?

  • Typical travelling times will be cut by at least 20 minutes (Cambridge to Mercer) and 10 minutes (Hamilton to Mercer).
  • It will significantly reduce the number of fatal and serious injury crashes.
  • The highway’s capacity and passing opportunities will be increased.
  • Waikato and Auckland motorists and businesses will benefit from reduced travelling times and lower costs. There are also benefits to road users from other parts of New Zealand who use this route. Overall, this will assist the economic development of the Waikato region and the North Island of New Zealand.
  • Fuel costs on this route will be reduced by millions of dollars each year.

^ Back to top

6. When will the expressway be built?

Construction of the Mercer to Longswamp and Rangiriri to South of Ohinewai sections is already completed.

Other sections are being progressed through the design process, and construction will be considered once these processes are complete and funding is available.

7. Will Hamilton roads be affected by increased traffic from the expressway?

Yes, but not beyond their current capacity. The expressway is designed to meet the needs of inter-regional through traffic, rather than providing shortcuts for city motorists. Approximately 4200 vehicles a day are expected to use SH26 (Morrinsville Road) to get on or off the expressway by 2016. The new Greenhill Road interchange will feed about 11,000 vehicles into the city by 2016, primarily onto the proposed Wairere Drive Extension.

^ Back to top

8. What will be done in the short-term to manage SH1 traffic flows through Hamilton?

NZTA is developing a number of city arterial projects to increase capacity on the current state highway.
These projects include:

  • The recent four-laning of SH1 Te Rapa Rd between Church Road and Avalon Drive, and the signalisation of the Te Rapa Rd/Avalon Drive/Wairere Drive intersection
  • The recent construction of the SH1 Avalon Drive Bypass between Crawford Street and Norton Road
  • The investigation of Southern Links - to consider the future southern arterial links from SH1 and SH3 into the city network.
  • Intersection upgrades at:
    • SH1 Greenwood Street/Killarney Road
    • SH1/SH3 Kahikatea Drive/Lorne Street/Ohaupo Road
    • Hillcrest Road/Morrinsville Road Roundabout (under investigation)

^ Back to top