Overnight closures next month at Awakino Gorge as recovery work progresses to two lanes
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi | 30 Sept 2026 8:55am | Taranaki
Crews will take the next step to restore two lanes through SH3 Awakino Gorge next month, installing anchors for the retaining wall.
Work is underway on the permanent repair at the major slip site. The road is being built out and away from the slip towards the Awakino River, with a retaining wall supporting the new section of road.
Upcoming closure
27 October to 5 November from 7pm till 4am. During the work, this stretch of SH3 will be closed each night from between the rest area near the Awakino Historic Tunnel and the intersection of SH3 with Manganui Road.
The road will reopen at 4am Thursday 5 November after the final closure.
During the day, the road will be open, under the standard stop/go traffic management and reduced speed limits.
While the road is closed, road workers will also carry out drainage maintenance. Coordinating this work with the closures will reduce the need for separate traffic restrictions and help keep drainage systems working effectively.
Closing SH3 through Awakino Gorge is not a decision we take lightly, but it is necessary to complete this work safely. The machinery used to drill the anchor holes will take up the full width of the lane currently carrying traffic, leaving no safe space for vehicles to pass through the worksite.
During the closures, the alternative state highway route will be SH1 and SH4. People should plan ahead, allow extra time and check Journey Planner before travelling.
We understand that further closures will be disruptive for local communities, businesses, freight operators, emergency services and people travelling between regions, particularly after the disruption already experienced through Awakino Gorge.
Recovery work
Since severe weather caused widespread damage through the gorge in April, road workers and specialist contractors have cleared slip material, repaired damage, improved drainage, stabilised affected sites and restored managed access through the gorge.
Recently four new, larger culverts were installed and the new anchors will pave the way for the retaining wall to be built.
Once the anchors are installed, work will continue on the retaining wall and new section of road. Completing the anchor installation is an important construction milestone, and the recovery remains on track for 2-lane access to be restored by mid-December, subject to weather and site conditions.
Wider resilience work
Meanwhile, NZTA is progressing the $50m resilience programme. We are working to prioritise improvements to sites that provide the highest benefits and identify work that could be delivered early in the new year to improve the resilience of the corridor as quicky as possible.
We are also considering the long-term future of the corridor. We have prioritised a strategic transport plan for the corridor in the draft State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) for the 2027-30 period. This provides a pathway for considering longer-term corridor needs.
Any future investment would be subject to NZTA Board approval and prioritisation through Regional Land Transport Plan and National Land Transport Programme processes.