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Iwi along with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency representatives and construction crew gather at Rapanui

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Blessing ahead of safety improvement construction at Tongaporutu and Rapanui

A blessing was held last week to mark the start of construction on the Rapanui passing lane and an intersection upgrade at Tongaporutu on State Highway 3.

The passing lane and intersection upgrade are part of safety and resilience improvements on SH3 covering 58km between Awakino Gorge and Mt Messenger.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Acting Portfolio Delivery Manager Jo Wilton thanked kaitiaki Rae Hinerau Wetere for performing today’s blessing.

The ceremony called for spiritual guidance and protection over the work and the people involved.

“We really appreciate support of local iwi for these improvements.

“The works will make the road safer, more resilient and more enjoyable to travel on. They involve widening a 1.6km section of highway north of Tongaporutu to create a northbound passing lane.

At Tongaporutu we are widening the Clifton Road/SH3 intersection and installing side barriers,” says Ms Wilton.

Rae Hinerau Wetere says it was wonderful to bring everyone together to the whenua and acknowledge those who have come before and others who follow.

“It’s important for us to demonstrate manaakitanga. Our role is to keep everyone safe spiritually and physically,” says Rae Hinerau.

Some services for the Rapanui passing lane will be relocated in the lead-up to Christmas before earthworks get underway in the new year.

The work, expected to be carried over two construction seasons, is due for completion in autumn 2022.

Other work underway on the highway includes retaining walls in the Awakino Gorge and near the Awakino River and a southbound passing lane at Ladies Mile. This work is all expected to be completed this month.

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Preparing for the final concrete pour on bridge 1. The bridge beams are due to be installed in January.

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Gearing up for a busy 2021 at Awakino Tunnel Bypass

We may have officially reached summer, but the weather gods have thrown up some challenging conditions for the team working on the Awakino Tunnel Bypass.

Despite this steady progress has been made with the new alignment on the highway starting to take shape, as can be seen in the latest flyover.

The site will be left in the best possible condition for the holiday season, including adding a temporary seal at the Hamilton end of the site, which means there will be only be one set of traffic lights, those controlling the single-lane tunnel.

The site will be regularly monitored over the break, however should anyone see something out of the ordinary please don’t hesitate to contact the project phone number on 0800 000 085 or the Waka Kotahi state highways number 0800 44 44 49.

When the team returns after the holiday, work will continue on bridge 1 by the tunnel, with the beams set to be laid in mid-January.

Also early in the New Year the last of the major earthworks will be complete with pavement starting to be laid throughout the site. There will be some traffic switches early in the new year at both ends of the site, with further information about these becoming available closer to the time.

Thank you for your help and involvement in the Awakino Tunnel Bypass this year, the team appreciates your support and hopes everyone enjoys a well earned rest over the Christmas period with their loved ones. We wish you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year, please take your time on the roads and get to where you need to go safely.

 

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L to R Matthew McDonald Chair, Taranaki Regional Transport Committee and former Chair Craig Williamson at a Mt Messenger Bypass presentation at Showcase, New Plymouth in June 2017

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High Court dismisses appeal against the Mt Messenger Bypass

The High Court has dismissed an appeal against the Environment Court’s interim decision (released in December last year) on the Mt Messenger Bypass resource consents and designation.

The High Court found that the Environment Court made no errors of law on any of the grounds of the appeal.

News of the High Court determination was warmly welcomed by the Regional Transport Committee, made up of the four Taranaki councils.

“The High Court ruling keeps this important project on track and we’re delighted,” says Taranaki Regional Councillor Matthew McDonald, who chairs the Regional Transport Committee.

“All credit is due to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for staying the course on this project and we hope the few outstanding legal issues can be settled speedily. The new bypass will make a tremendous difference to the region economically and make one of our two main access routes much safer for all users.”

This news has come ahead of the Environment Court’s final decision.

The project has been through a rigorous three-year consenting process involving hearings at Taranaki Regional Council/New Plymouth District Council, the Environment Court and High Court.

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More information

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For more information on the Awakino Gorge to Mt Messenger Programme, contact us at SH3@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/a2mm

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