Taranaki state highway planned roadworks

Monday 5 January to Friday 9 January

19 December 2025

Kia ora,

From midday today, most work on the state highway network will wrap up for the year so everyone can travel over the Christmas and New Year period with minimal disruption.

Work will resume from 5 January, and this update gives you a look at what’s coming up in the New Year. While no active work is planned over the Christmas/New Year period, some sites will remain under temporary speed limits. Please stick to these limits for your safety and the safety of others on the road.

This is our final update for the year, with the next one coming out on 9 January. Until then, drive safely, plan ahead, and enjoy the summer. From all of us, thank you for your patience and support, and we wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

Roadworks week of 5 January 2026

State highways with scheduled works the week of 5 January 2026:

• State Highway 3 (SH3) Awakino to New Plymouth
• State Highway 3A (SH3A)

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 9am on 19 December 2025.

State Highway 3 – Awakino to New Plymouth

We’re carrying out road rebuilds on State Highway 3 (SH3) between New Plymouth and Piopio in January and February 2026.

People travelling between New Plymouth and Piopio should expect extra travel time of around 40-60 minutes during this period.

SH3 at Ahititi will also be closed from 12.01am Friday 16 January to 11.59pm Tuesday 20 January for the Mangapepeke culvert replacements. The backup dates are 23 - 27 January. Please plan ahead, travel early, or use SH4 or SH1 as alternative state highway routes. For more info, visit: nzta.govt.nz/sh3-mangapepeke-culvert-replacement.

SH3 Mimi River: A road rebuild will take place north of Mimi Road from 6 to 30 January under stop/go traffic management. Expect delays of 5 to 10 minutes.

SH3 Uruti: A road rebuild will take place between Uruti and Mangahia Roads from 6 January to 3 February under stop/go traffic management. Expect delays of 5 to 10 minutes.

SH3 Tongapōrutu: Underslip repairs are underway until mid-January (weather permitting). Stop/go traffic management is in place. Road will be open to 2 lanes of traffic during Christmas/New Year period. Expect delays of 5 to 10 minutes.

State Highway 3A

SH3A Inglewood: Following the completion of the southern road rebuild, the northern rebuild will take place from 6 to 30 January, Monday to Saturday, between 6am and 6pm. Stop/go traffic management will be in place, with delays of 10 to 15 minutes.

Upcoming bridge closures – SH43 Pongahuru Stream Bridge

The Pongahuru Stream Bridge on State Highway 43 (SH43) will be closed to agricultural and heavy vehicles on the following dates:

• 7am, 14 January to 6pm, 17 January 2026
• 7am, 22 January to 6pm, 25 January 2026

Cars and other light vehicles can still use the bridge during these times.

On the first day of each closure, crews will pour a new concrete deck on one lane of the bridge. The following days are needed to allow the concrete to set. The bridge needs to be closed to heavy vehicles to prevent vibrations that could damage the fresh concrete.

A signposted detour will be in place via SH4, Ohura Road, and Mangaparo Road. This will add about 17 minutes to travel time to and from Taumarunui.

Stop/go controls remain in place at the bridge, with delays of up to 5 minutes. These will continue for cars and other light vehicles during the heavy vehicle closures. Please take care when driving across the bridge and follow all traffic management in place.

Once both lanes have new concrete, crews will finish strengthening work that has already started on the bridge. All work is expected to be completed by the end of February.

We understand that this closure will be an inconvenience for the local community and everyone who uses this stretch of road. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we complete this important work.

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.