Work begins this month on the next step towards restoring two-lane access through Awakino Gorge. Crews have this week finished installing four new, larger drainage culverts under this stretch of road. 

Since severe weather caused widespread damage through the gorge in April, road workers and specialist contractors have been working to clear slip material, repair damage, stabilise the site and restore managed access through the gorge.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will now focus on building the road out and away from the main slip site. This will see a retaining wall built to support the new section of road. Moving the road away from the slip will allow the slope to settle and stabilise naturally over time. 

NZTA’s Director of Regional Relationships for Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Andrew Corkill, says the new, larger drainage culverts will help keep the slip area drier, while a containment area and rockfall barrier will help protect the road from future slip material.

NZTA will continue to carefully monitor the site and respond if conditions change. 

“Together, these measures will restore 2-lane access through this section of SH3 Awakino Gorge and provide a safer, more reliable connection for the communities, businesses, freight operators, emergency services and other road users who rely on this route,” says Mr Corkill. 

While good progress has been made, the major slip site remains the main restriction to returning this section of SH3 to two lanes. 

SH3 through Awakino Gorge is a main connection between Taranaki, the Waikato and the King Country. It supports local communities, businesses, freight, emergency services and people travelling between regions. 

Construction schedule - Work is expected to begin this month, with the second lane currently expected to reopen in mid-December, subject to weather and site conditions. Minor work on site will continue until next year. 

“This is complex work in a narrow gorge beside an active slip, and it must be completed carefully and in the right order. The work includes preparing the site, installing the piles and anchors that will support the retaining wall, building the wall and new section of road, and completing the drainage, pavement, barriers and surfacing. Some parts also need to be tested before the next stage can begin. 

“SH3 through Awakino Gorge is expected to remain open under stop/go traffic management while the new section of road is built. Access may still change if weather, ground conditions or site safety requires it,” says Mr Corkill.

Wider resilience work - “Alongside this recovery work which is focused on reinstating the road to two lanes, NZTA is progressing the separate $50 million Awakino Gorge resilience package announced through Budget 2026.

“NZTA is working to identify and prioritise resilience improvements that will provide the greatest benefit and value for money along the SH3 corridor between Ladies Mile and the Awakino Tunnel Bypass. Potential works include scour protection, retaining walls, slope and rockfall stabilisation, and drainage upgrades. Where possible, improvements will be staged so that high-priority resilience works can be delivered early while the wider programme is developed.”

The Crown-funded programme is focused on strengthening the existing state highway corridor and does not cover bypass routes or major realignments.  While this programme focuses on improving the resilience of the existing route, NZTA is also planning for the corridor's long-term future.