Hour-long delays at SH3 roadworks
Taranaki drivers have reported waiting in queues of traffic for more than an hour at roadworks on State Highway 3, despite being told to plan their travels around a halfhour delay.
Work to rip up and rebuild a section of road under the Tariki underbridge, south of Inglewood, started on Monday with a stop-go system in place. Work is set to take six weeks.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) issued a media release last week warning there could be delays of up to 30 minutes.
However, motorists have taken to social media complaining about the lengthy wait, with some saying it took them more than an hour to get through.
When travelling to an interview on Thursday morning, traffic was backed up more than 5 kilometres on the northern side of the roadworks and it took 40 minutes to get to Norfolk Rd Upper – which is still 2km from the site – where the roadworks could be detoured.
The country road links up with Bedford Rd South and Surrey Rd before popping out on the southern side of the roadworks.
However, traffic was heavy along
the narrow country roads, with many blind corners, and motorists did not appear to be driving at safe speeds for the route.
In an emailed response to questions, NZTA Taranaki system manager Ross I’Anson discouraged motorists from taking the detour.
‘‘This is not a safe or suitable route for traffic wanting to avoid
SH3 due to the narrow roads, several one lane bridges and high number of residential properties,’’ I’Anson said. ‘‘When school goes back, there will also be school buses stopping on these roads to let children on and off.’’
I’Anson said there were no plans to change the traffic management times, which are in place between
5.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday, as NZTA had already investigated the options.
He also said NZTA was monitoring the traffic situation closely ‘‘to ensure delays are kept to 30 minutes or less’’.
I’Anson recommended motorists travelling between New Plymouth and Ha¯ wera take the coastal route along State Highway 45.
Senior Sergeant Allan Whaley said police hadn’t had any complaints from the public or country road residents. However, road workers had been in touch with police, he said. ‘‘People are going too fast through the road works,’’ he said. ‘‘We will increase our visibility in that area.’’