Taranaki state highway planned roadworks

Saturday 24 January to Friday 30 January

23 January 2026

Culvert replacement underway during the 5-day closure of State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth.

Kia ora

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the 5-day closure of State Highway 3 (SH3) north of New Plymouth. We know this was a significant disruption, and we appreciate the way people planned ahead, adjusted travel plans, and supported the work taking place.

Our crews made excellent progress on the replacement of 2 deteriorating culverts. This included the full installation of a new concrete box culvert at one site and major work to advance the temporary Bailey bridge at the other.

With the road now open, construction will continue through to April under stop/go traffic management while we complete the culvert replacements. We’re also carrying out several rebuilds and other essential maintenance activities across the corridor. People travelling between New Plymouth and Piopio should expect additional travel time of around 40–60 minutes while this work is underway.

Wet and windy weather is expected across the region over the next few days, so please take extra care when driving through active worksites. On SH3 north of New Plymouth, several sections are still unsealed as work is in progress, which means heavy rain can quickly create potholes.

Thank you again for your patience.

Roadworks this week

State highways with scheduled works this week:

• State Highway 3 (SH3) Awakino to New Plymouth
• State Highway 43 (SH43)

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 5pm on 23 January 2026.

State Highway 3 – Awakino to New Plymouth

Due to multiple active work sites on SH3, allow an extra 40 to 60 minutes for your journey when travelling this corridor.

SH3 Mangapepeke culvert replacements: Work is underway to replace 2 ageing culverts until April. Stop/go traffic management is in place, with delays expected.

SH3 Mimi River: A road rebuild is underway north of Mimi Road until Friday 13 February. Stop/go traffic management is in place, with delays expected.

SH3 Uruti: The road rebuild between Uruti and Mangahia roads is underway until Friday 20 March, weather permitting. Stop/go traffic management is in place, with delays expected.

SH3 Main North Road: Patch repairs are being completed between Otararoa and Epiha roads until Friday 30 January, weather permitting. Work is taking place 7am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. The site is open to 2-way traffic with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h in place.

State Highway 43

SH43 Pongahuru Stream Bridge: Work on the bridge was delayed this week due to bad weather. The bridge will now be closed to agricultural and heavy vehicles from 7am Wednesday 28 January to 12pm on Saturday 31 January.
Cars and other light vehicles can still use the bridge during the closure. A signposted detour is in place via SH4, Ohura Road, and Mangaparo Road, adding about 17 minutes to travel time to and from Taumarunui. Stop/go controls are in place at the bridge, with delays of up to 5 minutes for light vehicles during the closures. All work on the bridge is expected to be completed by the end of February.

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.