Our information sessions will include a 'drive the highway' station, complete with steering wheel!

Hear about (and drive) the highway

The Te Ahu a Turanga project team will be out and about in the coming weeks at a series of drop-in public information sessions.

Come and see us at one or more of the following:

Tues 17 November: Te Ahu a Turanga Marae, Woodville, 4pm-6pm

Weds 18 November: Dannevirke Sports Centre, Dannevirke, 4pm-6pm

Thurs 19 November: Bush MultiSport Park, Pahīatua, 4pm-6pm

Weds 25 November: Village Valley Centre, Ashhurst, 4pm-6pm

Weds 2 December: The Plaza Shopping Centre, Palmerston North, 9am-5pm

We're looking forward to sharing the latest information on the project, including videos, animations and posters.

We'll also have a large and detailed route map, plus a virtual reality headset to get you up close and personal with the new highway and shared use path.

You can also get a real sense of the road by having a go on the interactive drive-through - complete with steering wheel - to navigate your way along the 11.5km new stretch of SH3.

See you there!

Temporary car park almost ready

The current Manawatū gorge car park is needed as a base for construction of the project’s bridge over the Manawatū River, so we are creating a temporary car park nearby, accessed from SH3 Napier Road.

This will be of similar size as the existing car park (about 3,500 square metres) and, weather-permitting, we aim to open it by the end of November. We will close the existing gorge car park at the same time.

The new car park will be in place until the bridge is completed and the site cleared in 2024. The current car park will then be reopened for public use.

Pictured below, the temporary car park will include a public viewing platform affording a spectacular view of the gorge and construction of the 300-metre bridge over the Manawatū River.

Huge interest at jobs and training event

We were delighted with the turnout to our jobs and training open day in Dannevirke and Ashhurst in early October.

Of the 700 people who registered their interest in work or training on the project last month, 50% spoke with one of our three recruiter organisations, 30% were supported into further training through the Central Region Skills Hub, and 20% were assisted by the Ministry of Social Development to learn more about the sector and get work-ready experience.

We're keen to help everyone who came along to find employment, learn about opportunities or access training. The team was humbled by the amount of interest in the project and will be working with each individual to identify the most suitable pathway. There will be ongoing opportunities for employment and training as the project progresses.

If you couldn't make the event but have an interest in working on the project please email us at teahuaturanga@nzta.govt.nz

Pictured below, the Ashhurst leg of the jobs and training day drew large numbers.

Project site office ready to open

Our main project office will open next week at the western end of the highway alignment near Ashhurst.

The 1,500 square metre office will house up to 100 members of the Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance team, and will operate as the project’s administrative hub until the road is completed at the end of 2024.

From early 2021 the office will include a visitor information centre in the reception area, featuring the latest updates, images and video as construction progresses.

Access track off Saddle Road

We are currently creating an access track off Saddle Road, Ashhurst. This will pass under the Pohangina Bridge to reach construction sites for two of the project's bridges.

The turn-off to this track is about 100 metres east of the Pohangina Bridge.

To ensure safety, public access from this location to the river will be closed with effect from Friday 27 November. 

Saddle Road closure 24 November

On Tuesday 24 November, Higgins Contractors will be carrying out essential inspection work on Saddle Road.

The road will be closed from 10am–2pm for all vehicles other than emergency services.

In the event of bad weather, this work will be rescheduled for the following day.

More information

For more information, please use one of more of the following methods:

nzta.govt.nz/teahuaturanga

facebook.com/nztacni

twitter.com/wakakotahicni

0800 740 560

teahuaturanga@nzta.govt.nz