The northbound passing lane on SH3 at Rapanui provides a safe overtaking opportunity.

Good progress at Tongapōrutu and Rapanui

Delivery of Waka Kotahi’s programme of SH3 safety and resilience improvements at Rapanui and Tongapōrutu is substantially complete.

The 1.6km passing lane at Rapanui is operational, providing a safe overtaking opportunity for motorists, while associated works are being completed - including 1.3km of fencing that will finalise the road corridor and the adjacent landowner's new boundary.

In addition, Waka Kotahi is planting 90 Pohutukawa trees as a shelter belt for residents, reducing noise and debris and creating an aesthetically pleasing view for motorists.

Over the coming weeks, work will continue to remove the contractor's laydown area and compound. During this time, archaeological works continue with the collaboration and involvement of local iwi.

At the Tongapōrutu intersection, all pavement and chipseal works, safety barriers, and signage are now complete. In the coming months, the remaining work will finish a 180m footpath linking residents on either side of the highway. The path passes underneath the State Highway bridge, creating the primary access between both communities.

The addition of the safety barriers and the path remove the need for pedestrians to risk crossing the highway on foot. Waka Kotahi has also donated four Pohutukawa trees to reinstate vegetation removed during the intersection works.

The rest area and walkway leading to the Awakino Tunnel.

Surfacing improvements at Awakino Tunnel Bypass

Works have recently been carried out at the SH3 Awakino Tunnel Bypass to improve the temporary surfacing conditions and experience for the travelling public.

This work included the laying of 400m of permanent smooth asphalt at the western end of the site, and the construction of a trial section of resurfacing east of the rest area.

Further work is scheduled in the near future to improve the temporary surfacing on the balance of the site, with a view to increasing the temporary speed limit and possibly opening the passing lane. Permanent resurfacing works will be completed later this year when the weather is warmer and drier. 

In the meantime, the rest area and the walkway to the Awakino Tunnel are complete and available for all to enjoy.

The bypass will include a 235-metre tunnel.

Construction of Mt Messenger Bypass moves closer following positive High Court decision

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is looking forward to starting physical works on Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass following a recent High Court decision confirming consents for the project.

The decision was the latest legal judgment in favour of the 6km bypass that will replace the existing steep, narrow and winding section of State Highway 3 through Mt Messenger in North Taranaki.

Waka Kotahi Director Regional Relationships Linda Stewart says the Mt Messenger Alliance charged with delivering the new bypass will begin preparatory works this autumn, ahead of a start to main construction in spring.

Much of the early works will be centred around Te Ara o Te Ata’s environmental activities and will include the creation of access tracks for the project’s significant pest management programme.

Main construction will start at the southern end of the project, with earthworks and vegetation clearance. Preparing access to locations for the project’s tunnel and bridges will be a priority.

“Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass will increase safety for everyone travelling into and out of North Taranaki.

“It will also be more resilient than the current route, standing up more effectively to the challenges posed by the local weather, ground and geographic conditions.

“Equally as important, the project includes a major environmental component to help us achieve our goal of leaving a lasting legacy in Taranaki, ensuring the project area is left in a better condition than before construction.

“Waka Kotahi remains fully committed to delivering this important project for the benefit of Taranaki and Aotearoa New Zealand, and we can’t wait to get started.”

The court's decision was also welcomed by the Taranaki Mayoral Forum.

“State Highway 3 through Mt Messenger is Taranaki’s primary link to the upper North Island, and we welcome news this long-awaited investment can occur to improve the safety and resilience of the highway.”

The project’s iwi partner Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama has similarly welcomed the news.

Chair Paul Silich said: “Most of our members live and work in Taranaki and, together with the rest of our local communities, we have been looking forward to this project getting started for a long time.

“A better road through our rohe will save lives and support our Taranaki economy.

“And of course, the environmental gains will see Taranaki’s northern-most native forest flourish over time. We are really looking forward to seeing our native species thrive once more.”

Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass – by the numbers

- The bypass will run for approximately 6km between Uruti and Ahititi

- It will include two bridges of approximately 125m and 30m in length, and a 235m tunnel

- The project’s environmental and native animal commitments will deliver:

     - pest management across 3,650ha of forest on either side of the bypass, through a 250km network of traps and bait stations every 100-150 metres, benefiting native wildlife such as kiwi and long-tailed bats

     - restoration planting comprising 120,000 native seedlings across 32 hectares and a further 100,000 native plants along roadsides and embankments

- Over a construction period of 4.5 years, the project will generate:

     - more than 70 new jobs

     - approximately $4 million in additional salaries each year

     - around $25m a year in spending with Taranaki businesses for the supply of goods and services

More information

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