Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The roundabout and associated works at the State Highway 3 / Mangorei Road intersection are now complete, wrapping up construction on the SH3 New Plymouth to Hāwera safety improvements project.
Over the past two years, the project has introduced a range of safety upgrades designed to reduce the risk of serious crashes. These include 12 kilometres of wide centrelines and flexible median barriers, providing greater separation between opposing traffic and reducing head-on collision risk.
The final stage of works focused on the SH3 intersection with Mangorei Road, where a new roundabout has been constructed to improve safety and traffic flow.
Crews have now resurfaced the full site from Burgess Hill and installed a wide centreline – marking the completion of the Mangorei works 3 months ahead of schedule.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi senior project manager, Calvin Rorke, says these improvements are part of NZTA’s commitment to creating a safer transport network across Taranaki.
“We’re really pleased to deliver these improvements for the Taranaki community. The wide centrelines, flexible median barriers, and the new roundabout will make a real difference in reducing the risk of serious crashes and helping everyone get home safely.”
Nearby Mangorei School has been looking forward to the new roundabout in particular.
Principal Gary Poulgrain says safety at the intersection of Mangorei Road and SH3 has always been a big concern for the school community.
“The new roundabout and other improvements give parents and whānau much more confidence when travelling to and from school. It’s great to see these changes making a real difference for local families.”
The works at the intersection also include a path to Burgess Hill for pedestrians and cyclists.
NZTA thanks the local community, road users, and stakeholders for their patience and support throughout the project. Together, these changes will help prevent deaths and serious injuries on this section of SH3.
About the wider project
SH3 between New Plymouth and Hāwera is considered a high risk rural road. In the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, there were 11 deaths and 47 serious injuries due to crashes on this section of the highway.