NZ | Roads + Infrastructure

[KIWIKAAS]

Is this better Jarbury?
Kane. East-Southbound connections are unnecessary. Traffic coming from Pakauranga via the Eastern Highway isn't heading south.

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

The trouble is, is that people go on about Europe but emit the fact that they are refering to countries with far higher population numbers and densities.
Svarty refered to Norway (a European country with comparible population density) as having a high speed system.

Argh! Kaas read what I said again, please! I said that AFTER a standard network of railway was implimented that the possibility of high speed rail could be investigated. Norway might only have one high speed line (which I wasn't talking about) but it does have a national network of standard speed lines!

In my initial post I only mentioned 160kph!!! Anyway, going back to roading - like I said before, the main areas of high traffic are getting the investment they need at least. Also, I like your redesign for the south eastern, it is much needed as that junction is highly frustrating.

[KIWIKAAS]

Ok mate. Point taken indeed.
I'll stop bullying now

[jarbury]

Yeah great redesign. Only worry would be that you end up with 3 on-ramps onto the southern within a very short distance. I know that you're not adding MORE traffic, but splitting in into even more ramps might mess things up.

I guess ramp metering would help a bit though.

[jarbury]

Hamilton Regional Office

Media Release

7 January 2008
Ngaruawahia Bypass design underway

Work has started on the design of the State Highway 1 Ngaruawahia Bypass, which will further progress the development of the Waikato Expressway.

The project is part of Transit’s commitment to develop the Waikato Expressway as the key strategic transport corridor for the Waikato region.

Transit acting regional manager Kaye Clark says the design process for the Ngaruawahia Bypass, to be carried out by Hamilton’s Bloxam, Burnett and Olliver Ltd, will take it one step closer to construction by refining its design, investigating the soil conditions and obtaining resource consents.

Mrs Clark says, “Transit will be working closely with Waikato District Council, local iwi and all affected landowners to progress the design. This will provide certainty for all residents and stakeholders regarding the specifics of the bypass route and its subsequent effects on the future development of Ngaruawahia and Horotiu.”

The designated bypass route starts immediately south of the Mangawara Stream Bridge on SH1 in Taupiri, turns left onto SH1B on Gordonton Road for approximately 2.6 km, then heads south towards Lake Areare and Lake Road. It then crosses the Waikato River approximately 400m south of the Horotiu Bridge, and rejoins SH1 at Hutchinson Road, just North of the Fonterra dairy factory at Te Rapa.

The 12.5 km Ngaruawahia Bypass will connect to the SH1 Waikato Expressway between the proposed Huntly Bypass to the north and the Hamilton Bypass to the south. It will also connect to the planned Te Rapa Bypass at Horotiu, which is part of the Hamilton Western Corridor route.

Minister of Transport, Hon Annette King says, “The Waikato Expressway is a key deliverable in Transit’s State Highway Plan and I am delighted to see it progress. The Government made a commitment to address the Waikato region’s transport needs in our May 2006 budget, and development of the Waikato Expressway was recognised as an important strategic investment.”

Mayor Peter Harris says Waikato District Council is delighted with the news.
“This is a major section of the new expressway, and with design now underway we can optimistically look forward to construction starting in the foreseeable future. The completion of the Waikato Expressway will be the single biggest factor in promoting growth and progress in the region.
“The Expressway runs through the Waikato District, which is an important economic hub, and will provide vital links between New Zealands’ larger commercial centres and export ports,” Mr Harris says.

The Waikato Expressway is being constructed in sections as priorities are determined and funding becomes available. Two sections of the expressway, at Mercer and Ohinewai, have already been completed. The Cambridge Bypass section is currently being designed and funding has been allocated to design the Rangiriri Bypass.

The design of the Ngaruawahia Bypass is expected to be completed by late 2010. Transit’s 2007/08 State Highway programme indicated that construction could start within the 10-year period it covers.

[minimum chips]

Watching the Waikato Expressway being built is like seeing the BNZ tower slowly go up in Auckland. Im sure someone else said it better somewhere on these forums, mighta been metroman but can we find that oil off invercargill and get the gold out of those westland hills soon so we can build these roading projects quickly.

[GoluBoy]

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

If the govt and transit really pull there fingers out could be a 2030 scenario.

Blue= motorway
Orange = 4 lane highway or expressway

I think that deserves a *mailage* to both Tansit and the Govt.

btw: When I used my KiwiBank online the other day, the 4 letter security code I had to enter was kaas LMFAO!

[KIWIKAAS]

Completed Awatere Bridge replacement
SH1
North of Seddon and 25km south of Blenheim



Approved Arahura River Bridge replacementSH6
West Coast

Start Date: ONTRACK plan to start construction in the second half of 2007.
End Date: 2009


Approved Kopu Bridge Replacement
SH25
5km south of Thames on SH25 at the North of the Waihou River

Design is expected to be completed in 2006/07.
Construction is expected to start within five years, and take 2-3 years to complete.


Completed Church Road to Avalon Drive four-laning
SH1
Hamilton City


Under Construction Avalon Drive Bypass
SH1
Hamilton City


Approved Ruby Bay Bypass
SH60
Between Nelson and Motueka at the top of the South Island
Start Date: End of 2008
End Date: Mid to late 2010




Under Construction Mangatawhiri Deviation
SH2
At Mangatawhiri township (just east of the Mangatawhiri Stream), 10km east of the SH1/2 Junction.
Start Date: Construction started in November 2006
End Date: Late 2008



Under Construction Bell Block Bypass
SH3
New Plymouth

A four lane highway with a significant intersection in the form of a grade separated interchange

[KIWIKAAS]

Just a couple of illustrations to show how SH1 upgrade might look.
As you can see the road varies form motorway to expressway to 4 lane road with double yellow centre line or flush median.

Desert Rd. I really like this one



Just up the road



Just south of Taupo



Tirau by-pass and interchange

[Dion]

more please! I like these. Well done! The last picture is my favourite.

[KaneD]

Originally Posted by KIWIKAAS

Just a couple of illustrations to show how SH1 upgrade might look.
As you can see the road varies form motorway to expressway to 4 lane road with double yellow centre line or flush median.

Desert Rd. I really like this one

Just up the road

Just south of Taupo

Tirau by-pass and interchange

Good stuff Kaas - Keep it coming. I like it.

[KaneD]

I'l really like to see all four lanes sections have some kind of hard median. double painted lines just isn't good when your got oncoming traffic in both lanes doing probably 120km+ per hour (since they are likely overtaking).

The dual passing lanes just north of Rolleston are particularly bad - There are frequently accidents on here though to date, most seem to be people losing control by running into trees etc on the side of the road. Oh the mess if they swerve into oncoming traffic.

I think transit should have a policy of when they build passing lanes, they should make them a metre or two wider, and have a wire rope barrier in the middle. It would also remove the stupidity of those last minute people who like to get ahead of that last car before the passing lane runs out - only they usually leave it too late and they end up over the double yellow lines - potentially fatal move.

[jarbury]

The double-passing lanes on SH2 just before the SH25 turn-off have two lanes on each side with a wire barrier in between. I agree that this situation should be more common.

Kaas, pretty drawings but is there really a point to 4 laning the Desert Road? This is the quietest stretch of SH1 in the North Island (south of Kaitaia). Surely 4 laning between Auckland and Whangarei would be a better option?

[KIWIKAAS]

One out of the box. A revamped ferry terminal in Wellington with direct motorway connections

[KIWIKAAS]

Originally Posted by Dion

more please! I like these. Well done! The last picture is my favourite.

Originally Posted by KaneD

Good stuff Kaas - Keep it coming. I like it.

Thanks guys

[KIWIKAAS]

Originally Posted by KaneD

I'l really like to see all four lanes sections have some kind of hard median. double painted lines just isn't good when your got oncoming traffic in both lanes doing probably 120km+ per hour (since they are likely overtaking).

Remeber youre looking at a continuous 4-lane road. The overtaking dynamics change with less sudden lane changing, swerving etc.
A standard overtaking lane only lasts a km or so so when the lane starts the driver behaviour is more reminisant of the start of a grand prix with motorists overtaking as many vehicles as possible in a short distance.

The dual passing lanes just north of Rolleston are particularly bad - There are frequently accidents on here though to date, most seem to be people losing control by running into trees etc on the side of the road. Oh the mess if they swerve into oncoming traffic.

I think transit should have a policy of when they build passing lanes, they should make them a metre or two wider, and have a wire rope barrier in the middle. It would also remove the stupidity of those last minute people who like to get ahead of that last car before the passing lane runs out - only they usually leave it too late and they end up over the double yellow lines - potentially fatal move.

Short passing lanes should probably have some sort of extra division.
The highway between Rolleston and ChCh should be a constant 4 lanes.

[KIWIKAAS]

Originally Posted by jarbury

The double-passing lanes on SH2 just before the SH25 turn-off have two lanes on each side with a wire barrier in between. I agree that this situation should be more common.

Kaas, pretty drawings but is there really a point to 4 laning the Desert Road? This is the quietest stretch of SH1 in the North Island (south of Kaitaia). Surely 4 laning between Auckland and Whangarei would be a better option?

The Desert Rd currently handles about 3500 vehicles a day. That's indeed not a busy section of highway. The reason I divided it was for continuity on the route. Also this stretch is often severely misty at low cloud cover so a divided road is very safe indeed. Also due to the fact that land aquissitions are non existant on this stretch is would be very cheap. The sections just north of the main straights (as pictured) would require alot of bridge and excavation work though. Also a more evenly graded, wider highway would be less likely to be closed due to snow and ice

Let's just put this stretch down near the bottom of kiwikaas's program

[jarbury]

Upgrading the Desert Road to reduce the number of closures and to improve safety does make a lot of sense. That might be straightening and resurfacing rather than 4 lanning I suppose.

I'm curious to see if you can construct a 4 lane route between Puhoi and Warkworth with your awesome skills on modifying Google Earth images.

[KIWIKAAS]

Originally Posted by jarbury

Upgrading the Desert Road to reduce the number of closures and to improve safety does make a lot of sense. That might be straightening and resurfacing rather than 4 lanning I suppose.

I'm curious to see if you can construct a 4 lane route between Puhoi and Warkworth with your awesome skills on modifying Google Earth images.

Thats right up there on my list.
Desert road is easy. Copy, paste hahaha.

[jarbury]

I had a talk about it with other people in my office a year or so ago. We figured the alignment would probably have to be quite far west of the current SH1 route to miss all the mountainous terrain around there. That would mean it would bypass Warkworth (probably a good thing), and might mean a whole new alignment of the Dome Valley Road would be necessary (once again, probably a good thing considering how dangerous that road is).