Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block

4 November 2024

Kia ora!

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

Laying the groundwork for the Waitara Road roundabout

The team onsite at the SH3/Waitara Road intersection are making good progress on Stage 1 which involves completing all of the work that needs to happen before construction on the roundabout itself can take place. This includes:

• Installing new stormwater drainage infrastructure on SH3, Waitara Road, and Tate Road to handle run-off from the intersection.
   
• Relocating utility service cables and pipes (electricity, phone/internet, gas) to allow improvements to the road to be completed safely.
   
• Pavement work on Tate Road between the intersection with Raleigh Street through to SH3 following the relocation of underground services and stormwater works.
   
• The installation of temporary pavement adjacent to the northbound lane of SH3 (this will be needed during stage 3 to allow traffic to flow in both directions).

To allow works to happen safely and efficiently, a small section of Waitara Road from the intersection of SH3 is currently closed until the end of November. Rua Kiwi Gardens on the corner of SH3 and Waitara Road remains open and accessible.

Stage 2 of works is expected to start later this year. During stage 2 a temporary roundabout will be installed at the intersection of Tate Road and SH3. This will allow traffic to travel safely through the intersection during stages 3 and 4.

Discovery of historic fence

Recently, an historic ditch-and-bank fence was discovered during excavation work on Waitara Road. The fence, also known as a sod wall, is likely to have been constructed in the early to mid-1800s.

According to Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, ditch-and-bank fences were an early fencing method used by farmers on places where there was no access to native bush and timber was expensive.

Ditch-and-bank fences consisted of a ditch 90cm deep and 1.5m wide at the top, narrowing to 30 cm wide at the bottom, with a 90 cm high bank formed from the spoil. A newly built fence would have resulted in a 1.8m high barrier.

More information about ditch-and-bank fences, and other early farm fencing methods, is available on the Te Ara website.

Early fencing methods, Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Taranaki road maintenance season

We’re ramping up road maintenance work in Taranaki to promote safe, secure, and reliable access for communities along state highways.

We know that a well-maintained state highway network promotes safety and improves options for moving people and freight.

During the 2024/2025 road maintenance renewal season it’s anticipated that 32 lane kilometres of state highway in the region will be rebuilt. Doing more road rebuilds is a key priority in the region. This is how we improve road condition long-term, providing secure and reliable access for communities. 

To stay up to date with work happening on the State Highway network this summer and to plan your journey, visit NZTA’s Journey Planner – nzta.govt.nz/journeys.

For more information about the 2024/2025 road maintenance seasons in Taranaki, is available on our website.

Taranaki maintenance

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