The decision to bring testing back to Cambridge and Matamata comes as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency looks at ways to reduce barriers within the licensing system.

It also reflects the desire of local communities to re-introduce testing services, says Waka Kotahi Director Regional Relationships David Speirs.

“We’ve heard the message from a range of community groups and leaders that driver testing is an important local service and we’re pleased to say it will be back next year,” Mr Speirs says.

Practical driving tests will be offered in Cambridge from early next year, with Matamata expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

Waipā District Mayor Jim Mylchreest has welcomed the news.

“It is great to see that the community has been listened to, and we have this service coming back to Cambridge. With a growing population across Waipā, it is great to have these services return and we thank Waka Kotahi for making this happen.”

Matamata-Piako District Mayor Ash Tanner says the re-introduction of the service is great news for Matamata.

“We’re really pleased to see driver testing being made available in Matamata again. There aren’t many transport options when you live in a rural area and having easy access to get a driver license is really important.”

Testing was removed at the two sites in 2012 when new, tougher standards were introduced for restricted licence tests, along with low use numbers in each location.

This decision was reviewed in 2019 following requests from community groups, the local MP and local government. Following the completion of the review and operational considerations that were recently decided, the decision has been made to re-introduce testing. Adding two more testing sites for the Waikato will ease pressure on the existing sites in Hamilton (at Frankton and Te Rapa), Te Awamutu, Morrinsville and Tokoroa. 

Work will be underway on weekdays, Monday, 13 December to Wednesday, 22 December, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The work involves essential strengthening and deck repair on the bridge, situated between Wanaka and Tarras, says Robert Choveaux, Senior Network Manager for Waka Kotahi.

“Work on the SH8A bridge involves replacing running boards, repairing railing and will require abseilers to check and tighten all deck bolts.  Given the activity will be happening both above and below the single lane bridge, it will be closed to all traffic from 8.30am-5.30pm, on weekdays, for one and a half weeks through to 22 December.”

The detour and which vehicles can use it

During this time, a detour for traffic will be in place via Kane Rd – Camphill Rd – SH6 – Shortcut Rd (SH8A).  This loop is approximately 32km and 20 – 25 minutes.

• Overweight vehicle drivers need to refer to their permit and confirm an alternate route according to their permit type or travel outside of the closure times.
• Camp Hill Rd Bridge on the detour route isn’t approved for HPMV or 50Max: these vehicles will have to travel outside of the closure times.

“Those who usually travel via the bridge during weekdays should either try and travel outside of the times of 8.30am to 5.30pm or add extra time into their journey to take the alternative route if they are approved to do so,” says Mr Choveaux.

He confirmed that the bridge will be open to traffic as usual on the weekends and overnight, after 5.30pm and before 8.30am. Arrangements have been made to accommodate the school buses.

“The works required on the bridge are needed, however we understand the inconvenience that this closure will cause to our road users and thank everyone for their patience,” he says.

“In order to complete the works before Christmas and the holiday traffic, we will be restricting the works to only what is technically necessary to make this 100-year-old bridge safe.” 

Separate project underway in the New Year

”We will also have additional crew either side of the bridge to undertake enabling work for a separate monitoring and active signage project coming in 2022. The aim of doing this work now is to reduce the total number of closures affecting our community in the future.”

The detour route

Drivers are asked to exercise extra care on this section of SH1 motorway between Dunedin and Mosgiel while the barrier is damaged and not protecting road users, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The barrier was damaged in a crash at the end of November.

The highway maintenance team is awaiting the arrival of essential parts from outside Dunedin, says Senior Network Manager for Waka Kotahi Chris Harris. “With supplier constraints in Auckland and fewer ferry sailings due to Covid-19 restrictions, the parts are taking longer to get to Otago than they would normally.

“We want to have this barrier replaced before Christmas and the higher traffic volume holiday period,” says Mr Harris. “But in the meantime, people should be alert and aware that there is no barrier protection from head-on crashes in that section of SH1.”

Speed limits have been reduced to take account of the lack of barrier through this section, he says. “We want everyone to make it safely to Christmas and beyond, so thanks to all road users for being cautious and slowing down around this area until the safety barrier is fully restored.” 

This includes finishing construction and meeting the safety and quality tests and consent tasks. The tests are important, not just to meet contractual requirements, but so that there are no major issues that need to be repaired after the road has opened which could mean frustrating closures for motorists. 

Under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract, it is the responsibility of WGP and the builder, CPB HEB, to deliver a road that meets the safety, quality and environmental standards agreed in the contract, and expected by the public.

As stipulated in the PPP contract, there are 100 safety and quality assurance tests that must be met by the builder before the road can open. There are also 45 consent tasks that need to be complete to meet the requirements for road opening, which then need to be signed off by Greater Wellington Regional Council and/or the relevant territorial authorities.

As at 3 December 2021:

• 47 final test submissions have been received from the builder, of which 30 have been accepted by the Independent Reviewer as meeting the required specifications
• 38 partial submissions have been made and 15 tests are yet to be submitted
• 17 of the consent tasks have been completed
• Of the 28 remaining consent tasks, 26 are underway and have been progressed to varying degrees, and two are not yet started.

There has been some good progress on consent tasks, with many close to being complete, but work continues on the stormwater system which is a significant consent requirement for road opening.

Later this week, the builder’s team will be working at night to complete road resurfacing at Paekākāriki.

Early next week the team will be completing the median barriers at the northern end of the new motorway, which will require a change in road layout for southbound traffic just past the merge at Mackays Crossing.

This will be an extension of the single lane southbound before it is shifted across to continue to run alongside northbound traffic on what will be the Paekākāriki onramp to Transmission Gully. This will take place on Sunday night, so people travelling on Monday morning should be aware of the slight change in road layout.

Once the safety, quality and environmental standards are met and the road is open, the PPP contract will move into the service phase – the 25-year maintenance and operations period which will be managed by WGP and their maintenance and operations subcontractor, Ventia, after which it will be handed to Waka Kotahi at an agreed standard.

Waka Kotahi expects to be able to provide an update on road opening within the next week.