Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Taranaki has been hit hard by the severe weather that’s battered the country lately with a number of large slips and potholes occurring on the roading network.
As we head into the long weekend, Waka Kotahi Maintenance and Operations Regional Manager Jaclyn Hankin encourages people to take extra care, watch for hazards on the road and plan for delays to their journey.
Motorists can expect delays of 5-10 minutes to journeys through the Awakino Gorge as the section of highway just south of SH3 Awakau Road intersection remains down to one lane due to a slip.
On SH4 the road is still down to one lane 3km north of Taumarunui as a result of a collapsed culvert over Queens Birthday weekend. The site will remain at single lane until a permanent fix can be implemented.
On SH43, the Forgotten World Highway, a large slip in the Tāngarākau Gorge has also resulted in a lane closure and multiple slips have affected the route.
On SH43, the Forgotten World Highway, a large slip in the Tāngarākau Gorge has also resulted in a lane closure and multiple slips have affected the route.
“Work is underway to confirm long term repairs to the slips in Awakino Gorge and SH43 as well as the collapsed culvert on SH4 in Taumarunui. However, these repairs will likely be complex and require several months to implement due to the level of damage at the sites,” says Ms Hankin.
Crews have been working quickly to make repairs to the roading network following the wild weather, but motorists are urged to be wary of potholes scattered throughout the network over the coming weeks.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience and encourages those travelling over the long weekend to visit our journey planner to get up to date travel information ahead of travelling.