Work starts on Hamilton’s Hillcrest roundabout next month

Work will start on a $2.6 million upgrade of Hamilton’s busiest roundabout next month.

The NZ Transport Agency says the Hillcrest roundabout will be revamped to have three entry lanes for city-bound State Highway 1 traffic and a slip lane for vehicles heading on to SH26 (Morrinsville Road).

The Transport Agency’s Waikato highways manager, Kaye Clark says the upgrade will improve safety and help to ease congestion at the intersection.

“The Hillcrest roundabout is the city’s busiest with 37,000 vehicles using it every day,” she says.

“The changes we are making will help it handle its load now and into the future as Hamilton’s population continues to grow.”

Cambridge Construction Company have begun preliminary work onsite, shifting underground services before construction starts in early September.

The $2.6 million cost includes property purchase and construction.

Mrs Clark says the Transport Agency will be working closely with the contractor and the community to minimise disruption during the project.

An information day will be held on September 3 to explain what will be happening at the site.

“This is a complex project at a busy intersection surrounded by homes, businesses and schools, and extensive traffic management will be required during the three-month construction,” she says.

“During peak times all lanes will be open and the focus will be on moving traffic through, however there will be speed restrictions and other traffic management in place outside of peak times and at night, which will cause delays.

“This project will make a difference and we are focussed on doing everything we can to minimise delays but we are going to need everyone’s patience and understanding during construction.”

Mrs Clark says the Transport Agency investigated all possible improvements for the intersection, including traffic lights.

“We are confident that expanding the roundabout is the most balanced and effective solution possible at this site,” she says.

The information day will be at St Francis Church hall on Thursday 3 September. People can come any time from 2pm-7pm.

People wanting more information can go to the project website www.nzta.govt.nz/hillcrestupgrade

ENDS

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