Hamilton Ring Road Extension
Crosby Road to Ruakura Road
The Crosby Road to Cambridge Road extension of Wairere Drive is a key component of the city’s ring road and contributes to Council’s commitment to Access Hamilton by managing increasing traffic congestion and responding to population growth.
Access Hamilton aims to create a safe, sustainable, integrated transport system for the city supporting Council’s wider social, economic and environmental objectives, along with improving the quality of life of those who live and work in Hamilton, and enhancing the experience of visitors.
In 2007 Council was granted a designation for the new section of Wairere Drive extending from Crosby Road in the north through to Cobham Drive in the south.
The designation confirmed the alignment of the new road.
Project update
April 2013
With the Wairere Drive extension now open to traffic between Crosby Road roundabout and Ruakura Road, and the final low-noise asphalt surfacing now laid between Crosby Road and Fifth Ave, work is now continuing on upgrading and widening Ruakura Road and also getting underway with the major upgrade to the existing road and traffic signals at the Peachgrove Rd / Te Aroha St / Ruakura Rd intersection.
The first section of the Ruakura Road upgrade from Wairere Drive towards the university is now complete. Remaining works on Ruakura Road between Wairere Drive and Peachgrove Road and at the Peachgrove Rd / Te Aroha St / Ruakura Rd intersection will be ongoing until mid-2013. In order to facilitate the Peachgrove Rd / Te Aroha St / Ruakura Rd intersection upgrade, from the 22nd April the Te Aroha St leg of the intersection will be temporarily closed for a period of 4 weeks. Detours will be advised, but we encourage commuters to use an alternative route through this period if possible. We apologise for any inconveniences this may cause, but this is a necessary closure in order to try and expediate the intersection works and also to try and make the most of the school holiday period.
Timing of construction of the final link in the ring road network, from Ruakura Road to Cobham Drive, is not yet confirmed. Further updates regarding this section of work will be advised once construction timeframes are confirmed.
Please be aware that as works continue throughout the site, although works have been planned to minimise disruption and delays to commuters as much as possible, please be aware that at times delays are unavoidable given the work required and site constraints. We thank you for your ongoing patience in regard to this.
Downer Weekly Updates
If you would like further updates on progress and upcoming activities, please email
Ring.Road@downer.co.nz to register to receive these weekly updates direct via email.
Special notes
Please be aware that the construction site could be hazardous to public with machinery working and excavations underway. For safety reasons, please do not enter the construction site.
Future updates
It is important to Council to ensure that the design of the road successfully integrates with and is complementary to the surrounding environment.
Over 200 residents and occupiers attended Information Days were held in September 2010 to present an overall design concept to the community. The information days provided an opportunity to review and discuss the designs. Community feedback is a key part of the project and has already influenced the preliminary plans that were on display at the information days. Many of those who attended gave feedback, felt the information day was worthwhile and engaged in discussion with the staff who answered their questions.
As the project continues individual landowners and other interested parties will be approached on any site specific design issues that require their input.
Completion of the Hamilton Ring Road extension is estimated to be late 2014.
Go to Frequently Asked Questions page for more information about the project.
If you have any general enquiries about this project, contact the City Infrastructure Customer Services Team.