End of the road: No cars are allowed on the Hamilton section of the expressway yet. This is the northern end at Horsham Downs looking towards Ngāruawāhia.
The weather that dumped heavy rain at the official opening of the Waikato Expressway Hamilton section on Tuesday appears to have delayed the public from using it.
Around 250 hundred guests, including The News’ senior writer Mary Anne Gill, joined Māori King Tūheitia and Transport Minister Michael Wood to cut the ribbon on the biggest roading project in Waikato history.
Running from Ngāruawāhia in the north to the existing Tamahere interchange south of Hamilton, the road connects Auckland to the agriculture and business centres of the Waikato and will improve productivity in the region, says Waka Kotahi.
But clean ups around the region and completion of the Resolution Drive extension appears to have prevented the public from using the new 22kms from Tamahere through to north of Hampton Downs.
It is expected to be opened by the weekend.
The new 110km/h speed limit is now in place along much of the expressway but small sections at Tamahere and just south of Hampton Downs are being upgraded to 110 standard and they will remain under traffic management until spring, while the Ngāruawāhia section will not be 110km/h until remedial and safety improvements are done.
Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII and Transport Minister Michael Wood cut the ribbon on the biggest roading project in Waikato history.
