Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Two ageing culverts, on State Highway 3 in north Taranaki will be replaced this summer, with significant work planned for mid-January.
These culvert replacements, Mangapepeke No. 1 and Mangapepeke No. 2 culverts, are among a raft of priority bridge projects being delivered across the country in the coming years. The replacement of ageing bridges and culverts with new modern structures like this ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users for years to come.
The work is expected to take around 5 months, starting with enabling works in late November. The most significant excavation is planned for January 2026, when the weather is warmer.
As a result, a stretch of State Highway 3 near Ahititi will be closing for 5 days in mid-January.
The road, between Okau Road in Ahititi and the Uruti Community Hall will fully close for 5 days, from 12.01am Friday 16 January to 11.59pm Tuesday 20 to allow for the work to take place.
The closure is needed, for the safety of all road users and workers, while crews carry out 24/7 work using large machinery, including excavators and a crane that will be positioned on the road.
The combination of deep open trenches, heavy machinery and space requirements means it is not safe or practical for road users to access the site while the culverts are replaced.
A full closure with day and night works allows crews to complete the deep excavation work as efficiently and safely as possible.
During the closure, crews will work 24/7 to fully replace the Mangapepeke No.1 culvert and install a temporary Bailey bridge at the Mangapepeke No.2 culvert site. This temporary single-lane bridge will allow traffic to keep moving while further construction works take place.
“The two culverts on SH3 near Ahititi are almost a kilometre apart. By the end of the closure period, people will see a fully replaced No. 1 culvert and bulk excavation completed with a single Bailey bridge temporarily installed at the No. 2 culvert,” says Project Manager Kendra Ludeke.
“We know just how crucial SH3 is for connecting Taranaki to Waikato. Almost 3,000 vehicles typically travel SH3 every day and one fifth of them are heavy vehicles- mainly freight.
“We do not take the decision to close lightly and we have explored ways to minimise the disruption of this work. We know the community will be impacted. The culverts need to be replaced while the weather is warmer and drier and we’re keeping clear of the Christmas and immediate new year break, while also making sure we’re staying clear of the school term,” says Ms Ludeke.
We expect temporary traffic management to be in place at Urenui and Piopio to help direct freight and general road users during the closure. Access for residents and holiday travel will be maintained by crews on site, however no vehicles will be able to pass through the culvert worksites during the 5-day closure.
“Unlike previous SH3 closures, we are not able to offer scheduled opening times during the 5-day road closure to let traffic through, due to the extent of the excavation work required – the hole left by one of the removed culverts is expected to be about 8-metres deep and the length of a netball court.
“We know the last fortnight has been disruptive for the local community, following the heavy rainfall. And we know this closure in January will add to the disruption – however it is necessary.”
The work is weather dependent and the contingency dates for this work are Friday 23 January – Tuesday 27 January 2026.
We are communicating the January closure dates well in advance so people can plan ahead.
