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Protection of the long-tailed bat is among the project's environmental goals. Photo: Colin O'Donnell, DOC

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Video shows why Mt Messenger Bypass is much more than a roading project

A new video reveals why Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass has been described as an environmental project as much, perhaps even more than, the building of a new road.

The short video - click here to view on YouTube - outlines how the project aims to restore the nearby forest to its former pristine state, before significant damage was caused by pests such as rats, possums and stoats.

The project's planned 250km network of traps and bait stations will help native species such as kiwi and long-tailed bats to thrive, while a major programme of restoration planting will replace the vegetation removed to construct the road and rejuvenate wetland forests heavily damaged by cattle.

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The small army of volunteers made short work of placing 1,200 plants along the stream.

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Bypass planting day a great success

More than 1,200 plants have been placed in the ground as part of the Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass project – leaving around 218,800 to go.

The project's first community planting day was held in mid October and saw about 90 adults and children arrive in their gumboots, with spades in hand.

The group - including a large turnout from Ngāti Tama (mana whenua and the project's iwi partner), plus local landowners and community members - placed riparian plants along a stream near the southern entrance of Mt Messenger.

Waka Kotahi's Chris Nally, Owner Interface Manager for the Te Ara o Te Ata Alliance that will deliver the new bypass, said: "We enjoyed perfect weather and the spirit among our team of planters, young and old, was just fantastic."

The Alliance intends to plant around 220,000 native species over the course of the project. 

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The Rapanui Passing Lane is on course to open in early 2022

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Safety and resilience improvements on track

Good progress is being made on the Rapanui Passing Lane and Tongaporutu Intersection Upgrade on State Highway 3 in North Taranaki.

Both projects are part of a 58km programme of SH3 Safety and Resilience Improvements between Uruti and Awakino. 

At Tongaporutu, pavement widening works are complete and a roadside safety barrier is being installed. Rehabilitation of the pedestrian footpath will be completed in January next year.

The 1.6km northbound Rapanui Passing Lane will provide a safe overtaking opportunity. Pavement work is underway and the road is being brought up to its final level and alignment. A roadside barrier and signage will be installed ahead of the passing lane becoming available for use in early 2022.

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The rest area and walkway to the former Awakino Tunnel are now open.

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Tunnel bypass update

Construction of the SH3 Awakino Tunnel Bypass is nearing completion.

Subject to weather and Covid-19 restrictions, we anticipate work to be fully completed early next year (Feb/Mar).

Traffic is flowing on the new alignment with completion of pavement surfacing scheduled for this summer.

The rest area and walkway to the tunnel are open and being well utilised and enjoyed by travellers, with the Aorangi and Herangi Pou standing proud (Aorangi is pictured below).

Temporary traffic management will remain in place until the permanent surfacing of the bypass is complete.

Work is underway to improve the current temporary surfacing, which has degraded in recent months.

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More information

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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

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