Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass has reached a significant milestone this week with the successful breakthrough of the project’s 235-metre tunnel – a key feature of the future State Highway 3 route in North Taranaki.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Rob Partridge says the breakthrough of the tunnel’s top section is a proud moment for everyone involved in the project.
“It is a visible sign of the progress being made to deliver a safer and more efficient route for all road users, and to unlock long-term economic and environmental benefits for the region.
“The need for a more resilient and reliable route over Mt Messenger was underlined recently when heavy rain created an underslip that caused delays for road users for more than 3 months.
“This achievement marks a major step forward for the southern section of the Bypass, which will replace the steep, narrow and winding stretch of SH3 over Mt Messenger with a safer, more resilient, and reliable 6km two-lane highway.”
The Bypass is being delivered by the Mt Messenger Alliance in partnership with mana whenua Ngāti Tama.
The project is being delivered in two stages – the ‘southern’ and ‘northern’ sections. Since construction began on the southern section in 2022, more than 300,000 cubic metres of earthworks have been completed, with the southern-most 1km section now at road level.
With the 6.5m high upper section of the tunnel now completed, excavation of the tunnel’s 2.5m lower section will begin, with full tunnel excavation targeted for completion in late February 2026.
Work is also progressing on the project’s 125m bridge, with a 110 metre temporary staging bridge in place to support construction of the permanent structure. Construction of the bridge’s foundations are underway.
Completing the northern section of the project remains subject to ongoing legal challenges regarding the final parcel of land required. Funding and timeframes for the northern section will be confirmed once construction is able to start in this area.
“This tunnel breakthrough is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Mt Messenger Alliance team delivering the project,” says Mr Partridge.
“We’re excited to continue the momentum and deliver a safer, more resilient and reliable SH3 for Taranaki and beyond.”
