Multi-million dollar ring road’s final link revealed
Plans are advancing for the last piece of Hamilton’s ring road, which will be a key link to the Peacocke area.
A $30-million-plus project will feature a Cobham Drive flyover and interchange with Wairere Drive near Hamilton Gardens.
Pedestrians and cyclists won’t miss out, Hamilton City Council staff said, as cycleways will follow alongside Wairere.
Council plans to fund the project in partnership with the New Zealand Transport Agency and tenders could be out as soon as February 2018.
Earlier proposals included a major roundabout at the proposed intersection and a ‘‘green bridge’’ over Cobham Drive for pedestrians and cyclists.
But city growth and southern development possibilities pushed councillors to choose a flyover instead.
Running Cobham Drive - State Highway 1 - over the top means the city’s roads and cycleways would stay on the ground, city development unit manager Andrew Parsons said at Wednesday’s councillor briefing.
‘‘We think it’s a much better option for walking and cycling. From a car perspective, it’s no different.’’
Constructing the Cobham- Wairere interchange would complete the Hamilton ring road and be critical for future Peacocke access, he said.
Council could have a set of interchange construction drawings and full cost estimate by Christmas. To get construction moving, councillors would need to put about $9m extra in the next long-term plan, he said.
Council has already budgeted for parts of the project and an NZTA statement said it would be eligible for partner funding.
‘‘The transport agency has been working closely with the council staff on the development of the new concept design because we recognise the level of growth in Hamilton and also because it provides the best benefits for all road users,’’ spokeswoman Parekawhia McLean said.
Tenders for the flyover work could be out around February, and construction would take a minimum of 18 months. Council’s growth and infrastructure committee will discuss the final ring road project in June and, if it is approved, will decide on funding through the 10-Year Plan process.