Holiday drivers will enjoy a safer trip through the Waikato thanks to the opening of the Ngaruawahia Section of the Waikato Expressway.

The AA is welcoming the completion of the 12.3km section of multi-lane, divided highway which will open to traffic next week.

"The new Ngaruawahia section of expressway is going to be safer and more efficient for everyone travelling on it," says AA spokesperson Barney Irvine.

"The AA congratulates all those involved in the project on completing it ahead of the busy summer period on our roads and $50m under budget – a great result all round."

The Ngaruawahia Section is another milestone in the progress of the Waikato Expressway, which will make journeys between Waikato and Auckland safer, faster, and deliver economic benefits to the region.

The road toll for the Waikato region is well down in 2013 and the opening of the Ngaruawahia Section, along with the ongoing construction of the expressway, will further improve safety on what has been one of the highest-risk stretches of highway in the country.