Waka Kotahi is undertaking a programme of improvements to the Forgotten World Highway to increase tourism to the Taranaki region, make the road safer for locals and increase the resilience of the Central North Island’s transport network.
The following traffic management will be in place through the gorge Monday – Friday:
• 7am – 8.30am stop/go in place with 15 minute delays
• 8.30am – 9am road open
• 9am – 12pm road closed
• 12pm – 1pm road open
• 1pm – 3pm road closed to all traffic
• 3pm – 3.30pm road open
• 3.30pm – 7pm stop/go in place with 15 minute delays.
Between 9am and 12pm and 1pm and 3pm any through traffic will be stopped by a member of the team at the intersections of Moki Road and Heao Road so they can turn around before they hit the road closure. Residents will be permitted up to the road closure points at all times. Emergency services will be allowed through the road closure when required.
The Forgotten World Highway is one of New Zealand’s iconic back country journeys and an important link for local communities, farms, businesses, and visitors.
In 2019 Waka Kotahi, with input from stakeholders, developed a business case which recommended a programme of works to improve the access, safety and reliability of the highway. The business case was funded by the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).
The sealing of the 12km of unsealed road that runs through the Tāngarākau Gorge, along with some minor safety improvements, was one of the key recommendations in the business case.
Following the completion of the business case, Stratford District Council, in conjunction with Waka Kotahi, submitted a successful application for PGF funding for the sealing of the gorge.
Sealing of 2km of highway through the gorge was completed June 2022. Work to seal the remaining 10km is currently underway and is expected to be completed in 2025.
In February 2020, the Government announced funding from the NZ Upgrade Programme for the following projects identified in the business case:
Funding was also committed for a new bridge to be built over a damaged culvert at Pohokura and a culvert replacement at Manawawiri Stream.
Around $30m is being invested in the Forgotten World Highway to make the road safer and more accessible for locals and visitors.
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