The contract to build the southern end of the Waikato Expressway has been awarded as part of the $2.4 billion project.
The 16km section between Tamahere and Cambridge will be built by Heb Construction.
Work on the $250 million Tamahere-Cambridge stage is expected to start in September and be finished by 2016.
It is one of 11 sections that will make up the expressway which will eventually link Auckland with Cambridge by a four-lane road.
The entire 102km project is classed as one of seven roads of national significance by the Government and expected to be completed by 2019.
Waipa mayor Alan Livingston believes the economic benefits of the Waikato Expressway will be huge locally and nationally.
"A contributor to the roading network that will be part of the golden triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, and it's going to be an integral part of contributing to that economic development.
Mr Livingston says while there will be significant disruption during construction, the end result will be worth it.
