Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block

1 September 2023

Kia ora!

Read on for some important updates on Te Ara Tūtohu: SH3 Waitara to Bell Block safety improvements project.

Design for the Waitara Road roundabout

Updated design for the Waitara Road roundabout released

The updated design for the Waitara Road roundabout has been released.

The roundabout, as well as safety improvements to the section of Raleigh Street between SH3 and Tate Road, will make it easier for people to get on and off the highway.

To make the roundabout as safe as possible, the section of Raleigh Street between SH3 and Tate Road will become one-way, with traffic entering via a left turn off Tate Road. The layout of the intersection of Tate Road and Raleigh Street will also be changed from a four-way intersection to a T-intersection.

A stormwater treatment swale will also be built as part of the Waitara Road roundabout works. This will treat the stormwater runoff from the roundabout and then safely discharge it into a watercourse that flows to the Waiongana Awa.

The combination of the roundabout and safety improvements to Raleigh Street and Tate Road, will make this intersection much safer for the Waitara community and everyone using the road.

Construction of the roundabout is expected to get underway in early 2024.

Map showing where the first stretches of median barrier will be installed

Locations for first two stretches of median barrier announced

Flexible median barriers are a key part of this project.

Flexible median barriers put something between you and an oncoming car, truck, or motorcycle. This means that if someone loses control or drifts across the centreline, the result isn’t a deadly head-on crash.

Many of the crashes on SH3 between Waitara and Bell Block are head-on or at intersections so the combination of median barrier and roundabouts will significantly reduce the risk of these types of crashes.

Flexible median barrier will be installed along SH3 between Waitara and Bell Block in sections. The designs for the first two sections of flexible median barrier have now been confirmed.

These designs were finalised following engagement with landowners and businesses along the route, emergency services, and representatives from the freight industry.

The first section of median barrier will start approximately 300m west of the intersection of SH3 and Bayly Street and end approximately 40m east of the Mamaku Road intersection. We are aiming to have this section installed or under construction by mid-2024. This section of median barrier will not impact on access to properties or side roads.

The second section of median barrier will start approximately 40m west of the Nelson Street intersection and will end at the future Waitara Road roundabout. This will be installed once construction on the Waitara Road roundabout is complete. People driving on the road who need to turnaround will be able to use the Princess Street Roundabout or the Waitara Road roundabout.

The plan and timeline for installation of median barrier between the Mamaku Road and Nelson Street intersections, and along the rest of the route, is currently being confirmed.

Learn more about the project at our next drop-in session

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the project, come along to our community drop-in session on Wednesday 27 September from 4-7pm, at Whai Tapuwae Nō Rongo, Clifton Park, Waitara.

This will be an opportunity to meet the team and find out more about how we’re making the road safer for everyone.

You will also have the opportunity to speak with representatives from New Plymouth District Council about the Costal Walkway project and the Let’s Go programme.

Call in anytime between 4-7pm on Wednesday 27 September at Whai Tapuwae Nō Rongo, 17 Princess Street, Waitara.

SH3/Princess Street construction site

Princess Street roundabout and pedestrian underpass update

Construction of the roundabout and pedestrian and cyclist underpass is progressing well with Stage 2 of construction currently underway. To date, some of the milestones include:

• Construction of the Manukorihi Park stormwater treatment wetland swale. Working with our project partners Manukorihi and Otaraua hapū, approximately 2500 plants have been planted in the swale. The swale will treat stormwater runoff from the roundabout before releasing it into the Waitara Awa.
• 1500m³ of earth has been removed to make room for the pedestrian underpass.
• The first section of concrete walls for the underpass have been installed. Watch the video above to learn more.

Construction of the roundabout and underpass is expected to be complete by mid-2024.

Local kids get hands on tour of Princess Street construction site

Earlier this month students, parents, and teachers from St Joseph's School visited the Princess Street roundabout and underpass construction site for a tour. As well as learning about what we're doing to make the road safer, the kids also had the opportunity to get hands on with some of the machinery.

A big thanks to everyone from St Joseph's for stopping by, and to the team on site for making it a fun and educational experience.

Trial embankment – intersection of De Havilland Drive and SH3

Last year, we built a trial embankment on land adjacent to the intersection of De Haviland Drive and SH3 to test how the ground responds to the additional weight to inform the design of the roundabout planned for the intersection.

We have completed the trial and found that the embankment caused the ground underneath to compress up to 30cm. This finding is in line with our expectations.

The embankment will be left in place until construction on the roundabout at the intersection starts in 2025. The embankment material will be reused in the construction of the roundabout.

The ins and outs of roundabouts

Did you know it can take up to two years to plan and design a roundabout – and a large part of this work happens before you even see trucks on site. 

View our short video on how we go from the concept right through to the construction of a roundabout.

Watch video

Be kind to roadworkers

Roadworks can cause delays, and it's understandable that drivers may become frustrated. It's important to remember that road workers are doing their job to help make the roads safe for everyone.

Roadworks can also be a dangerous environment, especially for workers who are operating heavy machinery or working alongside fast-moving traffic.

By being patient and understanding, drivers can help create a safer environment for everyone. And showing respect and consideration is simply the right thing to do.

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