$476 million will be invested on maintaining and upgrading Taranaki’s transport system during the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) to help support the region’s residential and economic growth.
Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass has created a 40-metre work exclusion zone around a nesting kiwi bird, as the project continues its focus on caring for native species near the project area.
Tom the Kiwi incubating eggs at Te Ara o Te Ata: A cracking good yarn
Worksites at Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass have been awarded top marks by Taranaki Regional Council for their erosion and sediment control.
Erosion and sediment control performing well at Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass project
Safer journeys in Taranaki are a step closer with construction of the State Highway 3/Princess Street roundabout and pedestrian and cyclist underpass in Waitara underway.
Construction of Princess Street roundabout and pedestrian and cyclist underpass gets underway
Work is now underway on Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass. This project aims to deliver a safer and more resilient route between Taranaki and the King Country. It will see a new 6km section built from Uruti to Ahititi, avoiding the existing highway’s steep, narrow and winding route over Mt Messenger.
This project also features a major pest control programme to increase populations of native species over 3,650 hectares of surrounding forest.
Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass
SH3 between Bell Block and Waitara is a key route for freight, locals and visitors to the region but too many people are dying and being seriously injured in crashes on this stretch of highway. As part of Road to Zero, we’re making the road safer by building roundabouts at the four high-risk intersections along the route and installing median barriers, rumble strips and other safety improvements. Work to build a roundabout and underpass at the intersection of Princess Street and SH3 is now underway.
Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is moving forward with safety improvement plans for SH3 between New Plymouth and Egmont Village. Work to build a roundabout at Mangorei Road, road widening and removal of passing lanes is expected to get underway this year.
We have recently consulted with the public on a possible intersection speed zone at Junction Road. If approved this will be installed this year.
Additionally, work is underway to assess the feasibility of installing safety improvements such as a median barrier between Egmont Village and Hāwera.
We’re undertaking a programme of improvements on the Forgotten World Highway funded through Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit and the regional allocation of the NZ Upgrade Programme. The improvements aim to boost tourism to the Taranaki region, making the road safer for locals and increasing the resilience of the Central North Island’s transport network. Stage one of work to seal the unsealed section of road through the Tāngarākau Gorge was completed in May 2022 and enabling works for sealing the remaining 10km will get underway soon.
Work to build a new bride over Kahouri Stream near Stratford will start in May and new safety barriers will be installed along the route in the coming weeks.
Maintenance activity undertaken during 2021/22:
Maintenance infographic for 2021/22 [JPG, 987 KB]
Planned maintenance for 2022/23:
Maintenance infographic for 2022/23 [PNG, 153 KB]
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency sought feedback on its speed management plan for state highways. Submissions closed on 12 December 2022.
The plan is now undergoing the certification process with a newly formed Speed Management Committee, which provide an independent review of Waka Kotahi speed management plans and advise the Director of Land Transport.
Once a decision has been made by the Director, which we anticipate will happen later this year, we will publish it on our website. We will also inform all partners, stakeholders, and submitters that requested an email update of the outcome.
![Maintenance infographic for 2021/22 [JPG, 987 KB]](/assets/About-us/img/regional-updates/maintenance-graphics/maintenance-infographic-taranaki-2021-22.jpg){kind=link}
![Maintenance infographic for 2022/23 [PNG, 153 KB]](/assets/About-us/img/regional-updates/maintenance-graphics/maintenance-infographic-taranaki-2022-23.png){kind=link}