Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block

25 January 2024

Kia ora and Happy New Year

Welcome to the first update of Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block for 2024.

Crews working on the closed section of State Highway 3 (SH3) have made good progress over the break despite weather impacting work in late December. We thank the community for their patience as traffic has been detoured through Waitara, allowing workers to accelerate the project across this section of closed state highway.

SH3 will be open to both lanes from 3 February when work begins on stage 4 of the project, which involves construction of the northbound lane of the roundabout, stormwater works, landscaping and fencing as well as completion of the pedestrian underpass and asphalting of Princess Street.

From 3 February 2024, Princess Street west between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue will be closed to all but residents until mid-2024.

Keep reading for more details on the closure and the detour.

Progress on stage 3: State Highway 3 closure & Waitara detour

Stage 3, which started on 11 December 2023 and included the closure of a section of State Highway 3 (SH3), with traffic detoured through Waitara, allowed for significant progress to be made on the pedestrian underpass at Princess Street. Complex stormwater works and the installation of a watermain for New Plymouth District Council were also completed at this time.

The path below: Princess Street pedestrian & cyclist underpass takes shape

Work on the pedestrian and cycle underpass at Princess street has involved some heavy lifting, with workers moving approximately 1,000m³ of clay to complete earthworks. The foundations and concrete slab, as well as the stormwater work below the underpass foundations and waterproofing have also been completed.

A crane was then used to lift sections of the pre-cast concrete underpass into place.

Flexible road safety barriers making our journeys safer

This section of SH3 will soon be safer for everyone, with the installation of life saving flexible road safety barrier between Bayly Street and Mamaku Road.

Flexbile road safety barriers are built from steel wire ropes mounted on posts that are designed to bend when hit.

Their main purpose is to stop traffic leaving the road and colliding with other vehicles, poles, trees, or rolling. They're cost effective to install and are able to provide a 70-80% reduction in road fatalities. 

Working with our partners for key efficiencies

Crews have completed work to rebuild the road foundations and kerbing is well underway.

The team has also installed a watermain for the New Plymouth District Council while the works have been underway. This means crews won't need to disturb this newly sealed section of state highway for watermains works in the near future.

Stage 4: Princess Street west closure and detour

From 3 February 2024, stage 4 of construction will begin and Princess Street west between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue will be closed to all but residents until mid-2024.

Stage 4 involves construction of the northbound lane, stormwater works, landscaping and fencing as well as the completion of the pedestrian underpass and asphalting of Princess Street.

Traffic management changes from 3 February-mid-2024

Princess Street between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue will be closed, with resident access only until mid-2024.

We understand the closure of Princess Street will be a significant inconvenience. This closure aims to accelerate the construction, minimise traffic delays and ensure the safety of workers while we complete stormwater works on Princess Street.

Changes for journeys to/from Princess Street

Residents in the closure area will continue to have access to their property, and pedestrian access across the Princess Street intersection will remain open.

People travelling to or from Waitara from Princess Street will need to use Nelson Street or Bayly Street. Those wanting to access Princess Street west from Princess Street east (Tikorangi side) will need to use Bayly Street.

A temporary roundabout will be operational at the Princess Street and SH3 intersection. The current traffic lights at the intersection will be removed for traffic to flow through the site.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks you for your patience while these important works are completed.

Staying safe

To ensure the safety of residents and people using the road, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will be closely monitoring the route and making adjustments if necessary.

What you can do to keep everyone safe:

• Stick to the temporary speed limits and keep an eye out for people walking and cycling.
• When out walking and cycling, be aware of the increase in traffic and take extra care.
• Let your tamariki know there will be more cars and trucks on the road and encourage them to be extra careful and always cross at the dedicated crossing points.
• Report any issues or instances of poor driver behaviour to NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi or NZ Police.

More information

For more information on Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block, contact us at w2bb@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/w2bb