Traffic crossing one of the new bypass's two bridges over the Awakino River, with the now closed tunnel to the left.

SH3 Awakino Tunnel Bypass now open

Traffic is now flowing on the new SH3 Awakino Tunnel Bypass.

The new route aims to make journeys between Taranaki and Waikato safer and more reliable.

While landscaping and planting work nears completion, traffic management including temporary speed limits will remain in place until completion of the final sealing works in the coming months.

The team acknowledges and appreciates the help and support of all involved in the project, particularly the contribution of the Mokau ki Runga Regional Management Committee.

The 1.6 km northbound Rapanui Passing Lane will provide a new safe overtaking opportunity for motorists.

Safety and Resilience Improvements ready to restart

Work on the Rapanui Passing Lane and Tongaporutu Intersection Upgrade - part of a programme of SH3 Safety and Resilience Improvements - is ready to restart following the recent lockdown.

The SH3 Safety and Resilience Improvements cover 58km of SH3 from Uruti to Awakino and include new roadside safety barriers in high-risk areas, rumble strips, electronic warning signs, new formalised pull-over areas, and a new slow vehicle bay at Awakau Road. The programme is expected to be finished in early 2022.

Covid-19 alert levels permitting, the Tongaporutu programme is expected to be completed by the end of October and will commence with earthworks and shoulder widening, followed by installation of a guardrail and rehabilitation of the pedestrian footpath. 

An early 2022 finish is now forecast for the Rapanui work. Earthworks and formation of the alignment are now largely complete wih gas line rehabilitation works (by First Gas) to be completed soon. Following this our contractor will begin construction of the final pavement.

We will then complete sealing, barrier and signage installation, and line marking.

The trial embankment at the southern end of the new route.

Mt Messenger Bypass update

Please visit our website to view an animated flyover of Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass.

The short video travels northwards above the new 6km route, with the existing SH3 route also in view. 

View the animated flyover here

Meanwhile, a trial embankment at the southern end of the bypass will show the Mt Messenger project team how the ground beneath the bypass will settle.

The more the material sinks, the higher the team will need to build the embankments, allowing for settlement to the desired level before building the bypass.

We'll be monitoring the trial embankment over spring before removing it at the end of the year. We're also monitoring groundwater pressure to understand how well the embankments will compress and remove water, stabilising the ground beneath and on either side of the new road.

More information

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