Support for Ring Road completion to Cobham Drive

Completion of the city’s strategic Ring Road to Cobham Drive by 2014-15  has been  agreed by Hamilton City Council.

Council’s Finance and Monitoring Committee last week gave their backing to entering into a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency for the final Cambridge Rd to Cobham Drive section of the Ring Road, bringing it’s completion  forward from 2019/20. This decision means NZTA will meet all of the costs involved in bringing the project forward, and it will also secure a further $10 million of NZTA subsidy.

The total cost of the Ring Road Project to date including the 4 laning of Wairere Drive and the current works through to Ruakura Road (due to be completed in 2013), will be $84 million. This has been jointly funded, with NZTA paying around $46 million and Hamilton City Council $38 million.

As well as significant financial benefits for ratepayers the decision will also benefit many road users in the city who will experience better traffic flow by completion of this key transport network.

The detailed design of the new stretch of Ring Road for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists, and the connection with Cobham Drive will return to Council for consideration next year. Council will also hold some information days for local residents to ensure they are kept fully informed.

Mayor Julie Hardaker says: “Completion of this final stretch of the Ring Road will be great news for Hamilton as it is an important part of the planned transport system that will make it easier to get around and do business in our city.

“NZTA opened the Te Rapa section of the Waikato Expressway at the weekend and are on track to commence the Hamilton section by 2014/15. Government is currently planning to invest about $1.2 billion in the transport system around Hamilton by 2019 and this is a significant measure of their confidence about Hamilton’s and the Waikato’s contribution to the national economy” she said.