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The main construction of the Piarere roundabout has been completed, after several years of calls from the community to make the T-intersection in South Waikato safer.<\/p>\n
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NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) began construction of the 60-metre roundabout on the intersection of SH1 and SH29 in January last year.<\/p>\n
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The project cost $57 million, including investigation, design, consenting and property, as well as $43.2m for the construction.<\/p>\n
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The roundabout opened to traffic in September 2024 with two temporary approach roads in action, while work continued on the three permanent approaches.<\/p>\n
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Two of the three permanent approach roads (SH1 from T\u012brau, and SH29) opened to traffic in December 2024.<\/p>\n
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While \u201cminor\u201d finishing touches, including surfacing and line marking, would continue through the summer sealing season, the main work had now officially been completed, NZTA said.<\/p>\n
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NZTA acting regional manager of infrastructure delivery, Darryl Coalter, said the intersection had been the scene of many serious crashes.<\/p>\n
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\u201cA roundabout was chosen for its proven safety benefits and network resilience. It was also designed with a fourth \u2018stub\u2019 to futureproof the connection seamlessly to the planned Cambridge to Piarere expressway.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The agency estimates that more than 20,000 vehicles use the intersection daily.<\/p>\n
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NZTA first announced plans of a roundabout at the site in 2021.<\/p>\n
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Downer was awarded the construction contract in late 2023. Earthworks started in early 2024.<\/p>\n
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To make way for two pedestrian underpasses, the ground level needed to be raised 4.5 metres, which meant moving 100,000sq m of structural fill.<\/p>\n
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Downer project manager Craig Lingard said at its peak, up to 7000 tonnes of fill was delivered daily via roughly 130 truck trips.<\/p>\n
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Lingard said more than 400 people were inducted to the site and over 110,000 hours of work were logged.<\/p>\n
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The team worked with local mana whenua throughout the project.<\/p>\n
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At the centre of the roundabout is a 12-metre-high sculpture called Manu Rangimaarie (bird of peace), designed by the late Fred Graham, which celebrates the connection between hap\u016b and iwi to the land and river.<\/p>\n
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