SH3 New Plymouth to Hāwera (New Plymouth to Egmont Village)

Consultation on the proposed Intersection Speed Zone at the SH3 intersection with Junction Street ended on Sunday 2 April 2023. Thanks to everyone who provided their feedback. Please watch this page or subscribe to our newsletter for further updates.

We are moving forward with safety improvement plans for State Highway 3 between New Plymouth and Egmont Village and aim to start physical works in the first half of 2023.

During engagement with key stakeholders and the wider community on our proposals for this 9.75km corridor, we heard clearly that intersection safety is a priority, so we’ve decided to address the intersections at Junction Street and Mangorei Road first.

As a part of Stage One priority works, public consultation is being held on a proposal for an intersection speed zone to reduce speeds at the SH3 intersection with Junction Street.

If confirmed following public consultation, the Intersection Speed Zone would detect drivers approaching the highway from Junction St or turning right into Junction St from the highway, and reduce the speed limit temporarily on SH3 to improve safety for all road users.

When operating, the zone’s two digital signs – located approximately 150m north and south of the Junction St intersection – would display an enforceable speed limit of 60kmh.

These measures would temporarily slow traffic, making it easier and safer for people to pull out of or into Junction St across a high-speed rural road. This would help take the pressure off and protect people by reducing the risk and severity of crashes.

The current 100kmh speed limit would continue to apply at all other times.

In 2018 a business case was developed for safety improvements on SH3 between New Plymouth and Hāwera.

The 9.75km stretch between New Plymouth to Egmont Village was then prioritised due to its high safety risk, with 77 crashes being reported between 2016 and 2020.

While New Plymouth to Egmont Village has been prioritised, safety improvements for the wider corridor between New Plymouth and Hāwera continue to be explored.

The safety improvements will contribute to the New Zealand Road Safety Strategy, Road to Zero 2020–2030, which has an initial goal of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by 40% by 2030.

Any changes to speed limits on this section of SH3 will be appropriate for the road after any infrastructure improvements have been made.