Solid progress on region’s road projects

Two Taranaki roading projects are progressing well, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says.

In January, stormwater infrastructure improvements for State Highway 3 between Bell Block and Waitara began.

Waka Kotahi spokeswoman Linda Stewart said that despite the recent stormy weather, work to install a stormwater pipe under the ground along SH3 from Manukorihi Soccer Fields to Princess St is on track to be completed in May.

‘‘The stormwater work is progressing well, putting us in an excellent position to start construction of the roundabout and underpass at the Princess St intersection later in the year.’’

Design and consenting work continues. The project, jointly delivered by Waka Kotahi and the New Plymouth District Council, will address current flooding issues around Princess and Rahiri streets, in addition to carrying stormwater runoff from the new roundabout when it’s built.

Additional safety improvements, including changes to an intersection near Waitara High School and Waitara East Primary School, and the addition of no-stopping yellow lines to the Sh3/princess St intersection, have been made this year in response to local feedback.

Meanwhile, Waka Kotahi said a ‘‘significant amount’’ of work to seal the Tāngarākau Gorge on SH43, the Forgotten World Highway, had taken place since November.

All culvert works on the first 2 kilometres of the 12km unsealed stretch have been completed.

The sealing work is part of suite of safety measures being implemented along the 155km route between Stratford and Taumarunui.

Pavement work will start in the middle of the month, followed by sealing.

To allow the work to be undertaken safely, traffic is being let through on the hour between 8am and 5pm on weekdays.

A damaged culvert at Manawawiri Stream is being removed, and this is expected to take about two weeks. There have also been 225 new signs installed along the route.

Safety barrier design work has been completed and installation will start in April. The design for the Kahouri Stream Bridge replacement is almost complete, and construction is due to start this year.