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Improvements are underway on State Highway 3 (SH3) from Awakino Gorge to Mt Messenger to improve safety, resilience and route availability. This 58km section of SH3 is Taranaki’s main route north, it runs through rough terrain and is winding and narrow.
The State Highway 3 Awakino Gorge to Mt Messenger Programme is made up of:
The Programme will improve safety, resilience and journey experience along this key transport route.
The main objectives are to:
Initial investigations on SH3 were carried out in the 1970s and 1980s by the Ministry of Works and Development for the National Roads Board. Since then a number of studies and investigations have been completed.
A business case confirmed there are ongoing safety, route availability and travel time issues, due to poor road layout along SH3. Poor route configuration has resulted in a number of deaths, serious injuries and road closures over recent years.
Funding of $114–200 million has been allocated for the improvements on SH3 north of Taranaki.
| Project | Cost | Funding source |
|---|---|---|
| Awakino Tunnel Bypass | $9–15 million | Government’s Accelerated Regional Roading Programme |
| Mt Messenger Bypass | $200 million | Government’s Accelerated Regional Roading Programme and the National Land Transport Programme 2015–18 |
| Safety and Resilience Improvements | $25–30 million | National Land Transport Programme 2015–18 |
Construction for each project is estimated to occur during:
Design and consenting work is underway for the two-bridge bypass of Awakino Tunnel ahead of construction.
Some minor safety improvements are being carried out along the 58km stretch of highway. More complex safety and resilience improvement are planned including road widening, intersection improvements, passing opportunities, road realignments and slope stability.
Further work is needed before a preferred option for the Mt Messenger bypass project can be confirmed.
