State Highway 3 between Mokau and Piopio has now reopened.

The road, in north Taranaki, closed again at 7am today to allow crews to continue the clean up following heavy rain over the past few days, causing widespread flooding and slips.

A single lane has reopened (as of 5pm) under reduced speed limits, with stop/traffic management in place during the day and traffic lights at night.

This will be in place for the coming week, while the clean up continues.

Further south, on SH3 at Mount Messenger, the southbound lane remains closed following a slip under the road.  Stop/Go will be in place.

As at 5pm:

• SH3 between Mokau and Piopio will have one lane OPEN this evening under stop/go traffic controls
• SH3 at Mt Messenger has one lane OPEN under stop/go traffic controls.
• SH43 Forgotten World Highway CLOSED (between Whangamomona and Taumaranui – although non-essential travel along the entire route is not advised. There is resident access only).

Crews will be continuing to work on the Forgotten World Highway over the next couple of days, with geotechnical experts expected onsite.

SH4 between Raetihi and Whanganui remains open but please be aware there will be crews working at various sections of the road during the coming week, as they continue clean up. There will be stop/go in place.

Please drive with extreme care through SH3 and adhere to the speed restrictions and traffic management in place.

While it’s important to get the road reopened as quickly as possible to keep communities and freight moving, it’s vital road users drive to the conditions.
  
Road users can also keep up to date with the NZTA Journey Planner.