View progress videos of the Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block project.
Delivering a safer road for Taranaki
26 March 2024
Here’s a great overview showing the work we achieved on Te Ara Tūtohu – Waitara to Bell Block Safety Improvements over the summer.
The video shows what happened during the eight-week closure of a section of State Highway 3 to accelerate stage three of the project and reduce a lengthy detour.
From 11 December 2023 to 2 February 2024, roadworkers tackled multiple sites across both lanes of the state highway. Making the most of the closure, workers upgraded complex stormwater systems, widened sections of the road, and laid the foundations and precast concrete structure of the underpass. We also installed a watermain for New Plymouth District Council and installed safety barriers were along key sections of the state highway.
Building safer connections on State Highway 3
25 August 2023
We're building a new roundabout and pedestrian underpass at the intersection of Princess Street and State Highway 3 in Waitara.
It'll be a safe, convenient way for people to cross this busy road. It's also going to feature stunning cultural expressions on the walls of the underpass and those leading up to it. It gives Manukorihi, Ngāti Rahiri, Otaraua, Pukerangiora and Puketapu hapū (ngā hapū) an opportunity to once again have a physical presence on the landscape and to depict and share their rich stories for the benefit of the community.
The roundabout and underpass are being built as part of Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block safety improvements. The $82m safety upgrade to SH3 between Waitara and Bell Block will see new roundabouts built at the intersections of Princess Street, Waitara Road, SH3A (Mountain Road) and De Havilland Drive, along with other safety improvements.
Safe journeys between Waitara and Bell Block
23 May 2023
There have been many crashes on State Highway 3 (SH3) between Waitara and Bell Block. We’re making some changes to help save lives. Over the coming years we’re build roundabouts at high-risk intersections along the route and adding sections of median barrier. And, we're doing it with our mana whenua partners.
Princess Street roundabout visualisation
31 Jan 2023
Construction of the roundabout and pedestrian underpass at the intersection of Princess Street and State Highway 3 in Waitara is now underway.
The Princess Street roundabout is being built first because this intersection has the highest crash rate. There were 17 crashes at this intersection between 2017 and 2021 – more than any of the other intersections along the route. The new roundabout will make this intersection much safer for the Waitara community and everyone using the road.
Construction on the roundabout and underpass is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
Watch the video below for a virtual flythrough of what the roundabout, underpass, and Manukorihi Park stormwater treatment wetland swale will look like once construction is complete.
