Current situation and updated convoy schedule

• SH3 Awakino Gorge is closed during each weekday between 7am and 5pm to allow roadworkers to safely clear multiple slips.
• Piloted convoys are running at weekday nights from 5pm to 7am to the schedule below.
• We will provide the weekend convoy schedule later this week.

Updated convoy schedule – effective from today (Monday 4 May) for the rest of the week. We will provide the weekend convoy schedule later this week.

Departure window for those travelling southbound (from rest area near Awakino Historic Tunnel)

• 5pm - 5.30pm
• 8pm – 8.30pm
• 11pm – 11.30pm
• 2am – 2.30am
• 5am – 5.30am

Departure window for those travelling northbound (from Manganui Road)

• 6.30pm – 7pm
• 9.30pm – 10pm
• 12.30am – 1am
• 3.30am – 4am
• 6:30am – 7am

Convoy meeting points 

• Rest area near the Awakino Historic Tunnel (Piopio end, for southbound traffic heading to Mōkau) 
• Near the stock yards north of Manganui Road (Awakino end, for northbound traffic heading to Piopio)  

A reminder that public toilets are available at both convoy meeting points.

4 May:

A reminder that convoys start again at 5pm today on State Highway 3 through Awakino Gorge.

The road between Mōkau and Piopio suffered extensive damage during severe weather mid last month which caused some significant slips over and under the road.

Crews have been working hard towards restoring access along this important route by clearing slips, removing debris and carrying out repairs amid tough terrain and challenging conditions.  

The road reopened over the weekend to a single lane and under convoy. For the next three weeks, it will be closing during the week during daytime and operating under convoy at night. It will remain open all weekend.

The road needs to be closed during the day for crews to undertake further work due to the constrained environment through the gorge. With the road down to one lane at the at the site of the significant slip, crews must operate heavy machinery from the remaining traffic lane, which means there is no room for traffic to pass through.

After the next 3 weeks of work (from late May), we aim to open the road 24/7 with stop/go temporary traffic management in place. 

The feedback from the opening convoys over the weekend has been positive. 

Convoy times have been planned to balance safety, efficiency, and the needs of road users, while enabling the road to reopen as quickly as possible. 

We are monitoring how the schedule is working and gathering feedback, and convoy times may be adjusted if opportunities are identified. Any changes will be communicated with at least 24 hours’ notice. 

Drivers should be prepared for the road to be closed at short notice if weather conditions change or risk assessments require it.  

While geotechnical assessments confirm the road is safe under controlled access, we encourage travellers to consider whether their trip is essential and to plan ahead.  The area remains an active worksite and is still vulnerable - normal road conditions should not be expected.