SH3 Working Party media release
16 April 2008
For immediate release

Close Look At Highway Danger Spots

Danger spots on SH3 in North Taranaki are to come under close scrutiny as part of an inter-agency effort to improve the highway.

The Onaero Beach camp access and the Princess Street intersection at Waitara are among the locations to be inspected over the next couple of months, says the new Chairman of the SH3 Working Party, Roger Maxwell.

“The aim is to come up with alternative solutions that can be discussed with the main players,” he says.

“The SH3 Working Party is the ideal forum, as it includes representatives of the Taranaki Regional Council, Environment Waikato, the New Plymouth and Waitomo District Councils, Transit New Zealand, Transfield Services, the Road Transport Association and the Automobile Association.”

The Working Party has reconvened after last year’s local government elections and Mr Maxwell was elected Chairman at a meeting last week at Awakino. Members were also able to inspect a highway realignment project just north of the township, being completed with the help of funding from both the Taranaki and Waikato regions.

“It shows how the joint approach really helps to get things done,” says Mr Maxwell, who is also Chairman of Taranaki Regional Council’s Regional Land Transport Committee.

“And the momentum is continuing, with a new passing lane under construction at Meads Hill, just south of Te Kuiti, and one planned for Wharekauri Road, north of Mimi.”

Working Party member and Environment Waikato Regional Land Transport Committee Chairman Norm Barker says it is an example of how different regions can work together to achieve progress in projects that straddle geographic boundaries.

The Working Party’s attention will turn to the Awakino Gorge after Transit NZ completes a strategic study to identify key areas requiring improvement and potential projects to address these needs.

The SH3 Working Party was established by the Taranaki Regional Council in 2002 with goals to:

• Provide a reliable route.
• Provide a safe route.
• Minimise vehicle costs and travel time.
• Maximise traffic comfort and efficiency of travel.
• Mitigate or reduce complaints, accidents and negative perceptions.
• Provide a high-quality service for motorists.

The Working Party focuses on the section of SH3 between Piopio and the SH3A turn-off north of New Plymouth.

ENDS

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