The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists wanting to travel between Taranaki and the Waikato to use an alternative route via State Highway 1 and Whanganui, following the closure of State Highway 3, just south of Mokau.
The alternative route via State Highway 1 and Whanganui will add approximately three and a half hours to the journey. The route via Ohura was assessed as not being suitable for continued use overnight.
The section of State Highway 3 will remain closed until at least midday Monday 19 September, following a rock fall mid-morning on Sunday 18 September. An assessment by a geotechnical engineer on Sunday afternoon advised that it was not safe to open the road due to the risk of further rock fall. The next assessment will be made Monday around lunchtime.
“We appreciate that State Highway 3 is the main route between Taranaki and the Waikato, and we are working to get this section open again as soon as it is safe,” Karen Boyt, Regional Performance Manager, NZ Transport Agency says.
“The NZ Transport Agency's website - www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link) - will be updated with road status information, and we will have electronic message signs at key routes advising whether roads are open.”
Transport Agency contractors are also on site at a slip at Tangarakau Gorge, State Highway 43, which is currently blocking both sides of the road. The aim is to get this open tonight. As with State Highway 3, the alternative route is via Whanganui and State Highway 1. Motorists should check the Transport Agency’s website, and the electronic message signs to see if the route is open.
“As conditions can change rapidly, we advise people to check the latest road updates before they get on the road. This could mean delaying your journey,” Ms Boyt says.
Motorists can get real time information from:
From 6am to 7pm weekdays, updates will be available on:
The Transport Agency’s Winter Journeys website www.nzta.govt.nz/winter-journeys(external link) brings together tips on winter driving and links to get updates on the latest weather and road conditions.
