State Highway 3 Reopens After Swift Emergency Repairs

State Highway 3, located south of New Plymouth, has reopened following emergency repairs necessitated by the formation of a sinkhole. The road was closed on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, after the sinkhole, also referred to as a tomo, appeared in the southbound lane near the Mangorei Stream Bridge, just south of Burgess Hill Road.

Initially, the area was managed under stop/go traffic conditions with temporary speed restrictions as crews worked to address the issue. However, by 16:00 local time on Tuesday, SH3 was fully closed between Hydro Road and Mangorei Road to facilitate more extensive repairs.

The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi announced early on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, that the road had reopened after emergency work was conducted overnight. Although crews were hopeful to complete repairs and reopen the road earlier, progress was hampered by rainfall during the night.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution when driving through the area and adhere to the current temporary speed limit of 50 km/h. This precautionary measure is in place to ensure safety as drivers adjust to the repaired road conditions.

The swift response by the authorities highlights the importance of maintaining essential transport routes and minimizing disruption for commuters.