One of the new bridges over the Awakino River, with the historic tunnel to the left.

End in sight for Awakino Tunnel Bypass project

The historic Awakino Tunnel will soon be a tourist attraction rather than a state highway, as the project to build a bypass nears completion. 

The construction team have celebrated a number of project milestones in recent months, including the completion of the main structural work on the two bridges and stock underpass.

All major earthworks are complete and sealing of the pavement is underway.  

Soon State Highway 3 traffic will be diverted away from the Awakino Tunnel and on to the two new bridges over the Awakino River, a major milestone for the project.  

There will still be some final connection work still to be done between the old road and the new, which means traffic management wil remain in place. 

"This new bypass will make journeys between Taranaki and Waikato safer and more reliable," Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Acting Portfolio Delivery Manager Jo Wilton says.

The final phase of work is to complete landscape planting and construct a rest area, which will provide a safe and comfortable stopping place, along with walking access to view the tunnel which will be gated and closed to entry.

Thank you for your ongoing help and involvement in the Awakino Tunnel Bypass, the team appreciates your support.

The 1.6 km northbound passing lane will provide a new safe overtaking opportunity for motorists

Rapanui Passing Lane ahead of schedule

A new passing lane at Rapanui on State Highway 3 north of Tongaporutu, is advancing and on target to finish ahead of programme.

The construction crew are wasting no time with earthworks almost completed, underground drainage to remove water has been installed and layers of pavement (roading) being built. Before the winter months kick in, the existing cattle underpass will be extended and completed.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Senior Project Manager Raj Rajagopal is impressed with the project’s progress and is keen to see the new passing lane available for motorists.

“I’m happy with how the project is going and we’re looking to complete the work before 2022. The project team has been very proactive, they’ve changed the methodology and created efficiencies,” says Raj.

The Rapanui Passing Lane and Tongaporutu Intersection Upgrade (starting in coming months) are major pieces of work, that make up and complete the SH3 Safety and Resilience Improvements.

The 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 work is expected to be finished in early 2022.

The SH3 Safety and Resilience improvements are part of a wider programme of work that include the construction of the Awakino Tunnel Bypass and the Mt Messenger Bypass.

SH3 Awakino retaining walls complete

Journeys on State Highway 3 through the Awakino area are safer thanks to the completion of two retaining walls with guardrails, one near the Awakino Tunnel bypass site and one near the Mangaotaki River bridge. 

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