There’s been a high number of crashes on State Highway 3 (SH3) between Waitara and Bell Block so we’ll be making some changes to help save lives. Over the next few years we’ll build roundabouts at high-risk intersections along the route and add sections of median barrier.
January – May 2022
Stormwater infrastructure works will be undertaken from 10 January 2022 ahead of construction of the new roundabout and underpass at the SH3/Princess Street intersection later in 2022.
These works involve laying a 760m long pipe under the ground along SH3 from Manukorihi Soccer fields to Princess Street.
Waka Kotahi and New Plymouth District Council are working together to deliver the new stormwater pipe. It will address flooding issues around Princess and Rahiri streets in addition to carrying stormwater runoff from the new roundabout at Princess Street when it’s built.
Crews will work between 6.30am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, and some Saturdays when required for approximately five months.
Light vehicles heading north will be detoured through Waitara while crews are working adding approximately 12 minutes to journeys
All southbound traffic will continue to use SH3 and northbound freight will continue to use SH3.
Temporary speed limits, speed restrictions outside schools, temporary pedestrian crossings and road markers and bollards to separate and slow traffic will be in place along the detour route.
View larger detour map [PDF, 894 KB]
Comments, questions, and complaints
During the works, the detour route will be managed by Waka Kotahi. To provide feedback, ask questions or report any issues about the detour route or the state highway please get in touch using the contact details below.
Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
Email: w2bb@nzta.govt.nz
Roundabout concepts for high-risk intersections at Princess Street, Waitara Road, SH3A (Mountain Road) and De Havilland Drive/Airport Drive were recently refined to speed up construction.
This process was undertaken after investigations identified it would take a number of years to progress the roundabouts developed in 2018 to construction due to significant land, stormwater and costs associated with them.
An additional $53M in funding has now been secured to deliver the project and construction of the first roundabout is expected to commence in the 21/22 summer construction season, dependant on obtaining consents and land.
The community will have an opportunity to discuss the concepts and provide feedback at drop-in information sessions in the coming months.
State Highway 3 is an important connection between New Plymouth, Waitara and beyond. It connects the Taranaki and Waikato regions, providing an important link for Port Taranaki, the New Plymouth Airport and major industries to the rest of the upper North Island.
Busy intersections, speed and roadside hazards like power poles and ditches cause safety issues on the road. There were 101 crashes on this route between 2009 and 2018. Seven people died and 14 people were seriously injured.
Many of these crashes happened at intersections or involved drivers running off the road and hitting trees, power poles and deep ditches. There have also been head-on and side-on crashes.
Traffic is increasing on this part of SH3 which is causing delays, particularly for commuters. Anticipated residential and business growth in the area is expected to increase traffic which will create more congestion and make it difficult for drivers to get on the highway.
Following engagement with key stakeholders and the community, early safety improvements were carried out in February 2019. Further improvements including wide centrelines were implemented early 2021.
Following public consultation new safer speed limits were implemented on this stretch of road in December 2020, making the speed limit a consistent 80km along the entire route.
