This project will
Improve the quality of the road
Make the road safer for all road users
Help us towards our Vision Zero goal for road safety
Project summary
What we are doing?
The Connect Hamilton team will be excavating and relaying the road surface on Arthur Porter Drive, between Earthmover Crescent roundabout and Ruffell Road roundabout.
Work started on Monday 6 May 2024 and is expected to be complete by the end of June. There will be some noise, vibration and dust caused by the machinery excavating and relaying the road surface, we will do our best to keep this to a minimum.
Businesses in the area will still be open and access will be maintained while the work is carried out.
Project update (13 June 2024): The first stages of the project are now complete, and the road has reopened to traffic. The final stage of the work will see a specialist piece of machinery used to profile the raw concrete surface to a smoother finish. This will take two to three weeks to complete, with work taking place Saturday to Sunday between 6am-6pm. Stop/go traffic management will be in place during the work.
Why are we doing it?
Council is focussed on providing a transport network that helps connect people and places in safe, accessible, and smart ways. Every improvement we make on our roads helps us towards our ‘Vision Zero’ philosophy for road safety, meaning we aim to achieve zero deaths and serious injuries on our city’s roads. This philosophy is one of the key outcomes in our transport strategy Access Hamilton – Ara Kootuitui Kirikiriroa.
Road closures
Throughout the duration of the works, one lane of Arthur Porter Drive will be closed between Earthmover Crescent roundabout and Ruffell Road roundabout. The following detours will be in place but will change dependent on which side of the road is closed. Please follow traffic management signage and instructions from our work crew.
Traffic heading along Arthur Porter Drive
Northbound lane closed
Northbound traffic – detoured:
Turn right onto Earthmover Crescent, turn left onto Te Kowhai East Road, left onto Te Rapa Road, straight through onto Great South Road then onto Thermal Explorer Highway, turn left onto Gateway Drive, turn left on Kohia Drive, right on Holmes Road then onto Onion Road and Ruffell Road.
Southbound traffic:
No detour.
Southbound lane closed
Northbound traffic:
No detour.
Southbound traffic – detoured:
Head north along Ruffell Road and turn left onto Onion Road and Holmes Road, left onto Kohia Drive, right onto Gateway Drive, right onto Thermal Explorer Highway then Great South Road, straight through onto Te Rapa Road, right on to Te Kowhai East Road and turn right onto Earthmover Crescent.
To help keep you and our staff safe, please be patient and follow all instructions from our work crew and traffic management signage.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this work needed?
This work is necessary to improve the quality of road surface on this section of Arthur Porter Drive. Previously we have completed some temporary fixes on this section of road to keep it open to vehicles – due to an ongoing drainage issue, we now need to rehabilitate the road from the lower levels up to the surface so that it meets the latest standards and remains at a high quality for years to come.
What will this work involve?
Because this route has a lot of traffic including large trucks, we’re using a new method for the road surface to strengthen it and make sure it is fit for purpose. This work involves removing the current bitumen seal and top layer of the road base and then stabilising the surface below as required. The road will then be filled with a new concrete pavement called Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC), which is strong and relatively quick to construct compared to other methods.
What is the timeframe for this work?
We have allowed six weeks to complete this project, as some of the work cannot be carried out during wet weather. However, if we don’t experience any significant rain or any other unexpected delays during the works, it is possible that it could be completed in around four weeks.
Why is this work happening when there are other road works and closures in the area?
We do our best to schedule works at times that will minimise any impact on road users, businesses and communities. In this instance, the timing of the works has unfortunately aligned with night works being carried out by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on the nearby State Highway, however it is important the works on Arthur Porter Drive still goes ahead at this time to address quality and safety issues on this section of road.
Why can’t we still have access to the sections of road that are being worked on?
Because we’re working down to the lower levels of the road and due to the heavy equipment and staff that will be on site, we need to ensure both the public and works are safe – therefore we cannot allow traffic to travel through these areas. However, to minimise disruption to nearby businesses and traffic as much as possible, we are working on one lane at a time with lane closures in place, as opposed to a full road closure, and will be working as quickly and efficiently as we can to complete the work.
Have you considered the impact this work will have on people who travel on the road?
We understand that road closures and detours are frustrating for road users, however this work is necessary at this time to make the road safe and fit for purpose in the long-term. Please be assured that we are working as quickly and efficiently as we can to complete this work, and we appreciate everyone’s patience during this time.
How can Te Kowhai residents connect into north Hamilton while the work takes place?
Rather than a full road closure being in place, we are working on one lane at a time to ensure access to nearby businesses can always be maintained and also allow vehicles to continue to travel along this road in one direction. Electronic Variable Message Signs (VMS) boards are being displayed as drivers approach the area to let them know what lane is currently closed so they can continue onto an alternative route if needed.
A signed detour is in place during the works which takes drivers through the Horotiu intersection and along Te Rapa Road, past the Fonterra factory. The other main option is to use Exelby Road and the recently opened Te Wetini Drive which connects onto Wairere Drive.
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Last updated 3 July 2024