Taranaki state highway planned roadworks

Saturday 21 to Friday 27 March

20 March 2026

Kia ora,

With autumn underway, road workers across the region are progressing a full programme of renewals and repairs to strengthen the state highway network ahead of winter. This work is focused on improving road surfaces, drainage and overall resilience.

Several projects remain underway on SH3 between Piopio and New Plymouth, where multiple sites are progressing at the same time. While this can result in short term delays, completing this work now will deliver longer lasting improvements and help avoid more significant disruption in the long term.

The road rebuild on SH43 at Nevins Hill is expected to be completed this weekend (weather permitting), a week earlier than planned. Once finished, daily closure periods at this site will no longer be required.

Before you travel, check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest updates and expected travel times: journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

Roadworks this week

State highways with scheduled works this week:

• State Highway 3 (SH3) Awakino to New Plymouth
• State Highway 3 (SH3) Pātea
• State Highway 4 (SH4)
• State Highway 43 (SH43)
• State Highway 44 (SH44)
• State Highway 45 (SH45)

Roadworks may be postponed due to rain or other factors that disrupt the weekly schedule.

Check NZTA Journey Planner for the latest travel information and journey times: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Information current as at 12pm on 20 March 2026.

State Highway 3 – Awakino to New Plymouth

We’re completing a range of renewals and improvements on SH3 to make the most of the construction season and minimise ongoing disruption to road users. Allow an extra 40 to 60 minutes for your journey when travelling on this corridor.

SH3 Piopio: Two sections of road are being rebuilt near Paekaka Road between Hunt and Wall roads until mid-April, weather permitting. Work is running from 6am to 7pm under stop/go traffic management.

SH3 Awakino Gorge: This section of road is under 24/7 stop/go traffic management due to a rockfall at the northern end of the gorge. Stop/go traffic management is in place. We will provide an update on plans for a repair of the slip once these are confirmed.

SH3 Kuriwera Stream: A road rebuild is underway in the Awakino Gorge between Manganui and Awakau Roads until early April, weather permitting. Stop/go traffic management is in place.

SH3 Mangapepeke culvert replacements: Work is underway until April to replace 2 ageing culverts, weather permitting. Stop/go traffic management is in place. Please expect changing temporary traffic management at times due to other nearby improvements. Check out the video below to see the significant work involved in replacing these culverts.

State Highway 3 – Pātea

SH3 Egmont Road: Patch repairs will take place between Richmond Street and Oxford Street during the week of Monday 23 March for about 1 to 2 days, weather permitting. Work will run from 7am to 6pm under stop/go traffic management, with delays of around 5 to 10 minutes expected.

State Highway 4

SH4 Te Mapara: Drainage works are underway near Tuhua Road until the end of April, weather permitting. Work is running from 6am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, under stop/go traffic management with delays of 10 to 15 minutes.

State Highway 44

SH44 Breakwater Road: The second phase of the road rebuild is underway until late April, weather permitting. The project involves drainage improvements and rebuilding the road with new asphalt. Work is being completed in stages with stop/go traffic management in place at times. Expect delays of around 5 to 10 minutes.

Stages:

• 16–22 March: Day works from 7am to 6pm under contraflow (two way).
• 23–28 March: 24/7 works with stop/go at night.
• 29 March–6 April: No work over Easter.
• 6–25 April: Afternoon and night works from 2pm to 7am under contraflow.

Access to side roads may be restricted at times, so please plan ahead and use alternative routes where possible. Property access will be maintained at all times. All roads will reopen outside work hours, but a temporary speed limit will remain until the site is complete.

State Highway 45

SH45 Ōkato: A road rebuild is underway between Leith and Lower Pitone Roads until late March, weather permitting. Work is running from 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Stop/go traffic management is in place with delays of around 15 to 20 minutes.

SH45 Spotswood: Resurfacing will take place between Pioneer Road and Blagdon Road on Sunday 22 March, weather permitting. Work will run from 7am to 7pm under a single-lane closure to northbound traffic. Northbound traffic will detour via Pioneer Road, Breakwater Road (SH44), and Bayly Road before returning to SH45, adding about 5 to 10 minutes to travel time. Southbound traffic will remain on SH45 as usual. Access to some side roads may be restricted at times, and property access will be maintained from the northern end of the site. If weather is unsuitable, work will be postponed to Sunday 29 March.

Upcoming closures

SH3 Mountain Road: Asphalt patch repairs will take place between Johns Road and Surrey Road on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March under full night closures from 7pm to 5am, weather permitting. These repairs will maintain the road before drainage improvements and a full rebuild next summer. Road users should plan ahead and use SH45 as the alternative route. The road will be open outside these hours, but a temporary speed limit will remain until work is complete. If weather is unsuitable, work will be rescheduled to Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April.

SH45 Devon Street West: Night closures will take place between Mt Edgecumbe Street and Belt Road from Saturday 28 March to Thursday 2 April for asphalt resurfacing, weather permitting. The road will close each night from 7pm to 6am between Mt Edgecumbe and Morley streets, and between Morley Street and Belt Road. The Morley Street intersection will remain open, but access to both sides of Devon Street West will be closed during work hours. Outside these hours, the road will reopen with a temporary speed limit in place. Pedestrian and property access will be maintained.

Day works will follow from Friday 3 April to Sunday 5 April between Cutfield Road and Mt Edgecumbe Street for resurfacing. Work will run from 7am to 7pm under contraflow traffic management with minimal delays. During this time, access to the northern side of Morley Street and a short section of Devon Street West will be closed.

More information

Please be aware that there may be other less disruptive state highway works not listed in this newsletter.

Roadworks listed in this newsletter may be postponed due to rain or other factors that disrupt the weekly schedule.

Check the NZTA Journey Planner for the latest travel information and journey times before starting your journey: journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

For more information on the Taranaki state highway maintenance programme, contact us at info@nzta.govt.nz or 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449) or visit our website nzta.govt.nz/taranaki-maintenance.