Stay safe on Taranaki roads as heavy rain continues

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is urging Taranaki drivers to take care on the region’s roads and avoid unnecessary travel, as heavy rain causes road closures and flooding across the network.

MetService has extended the heavy rain warning for the region through until midnight tonight.

Waka Kotahi contractors are working to repair damage caused by the heavy rainfall such as slips, flooding and potholes and, with more severe weather expected, our crews will continue to monitor various sites across the region.

Current closures:

• State Highway 45: Flooding
  SH45 is closed south of Manaia near Inaha Road due to rising water levels. There is also surface flooding on other areas of SH45, with temporary speed limits in place.

Intermittent closures:

• State Highway 3 Mt Messenger: Intermittent closures due to slips
  Throughout the day there will be intermittent closures at Mt Messenger on SH3 in order for crews to repair damage caused by several large slips that have occurred during the heavy rainfall.

Flooding and temporary speed restrictions:

• SH3 Inglewood to Egmont Village: Flooding
  Road users are asked to take care and adhere to temporary speed restrictions between Inglewood and Egmont Village on SH3 due to surface flooding.
• SH3 New Plymouth to Eltham: Potholes and flooding
  Heavy rain has resulted in a large number of potholes between New Plymouth and Eltham. Crews are working around the clock to repair the damage and reduce further deterioration of the road during the wet weather, before longer term repairs can take place. Multiple temporary speed limits are in place and road users are asked to take care.

If you do have to use the roads, check for road closures on the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner before you travel, and stay alert for unreported hazards, such as surface flooding, slips, potholes, fallen trees or branches and downed powerlines.

Journey Planner(external link)

Please be mindful of our contractors who may be out clearing hazards off the road, drive to the conditions and adhere to all temporary speed restrictions.

Waka Kotahi wants to see everyone get home safely, including our road workers.