The ongoing closures of State Highway 3 due to weather-related incidents have sparked calls for the Transport Agency boss to address the 'unacceptable disruptions' affecting communities and businesses in the northern corridor between New Plymouth and Te Kuiti. This issue is not new, but the repeated closures following weather events have a significant and compounding impact on the region's connectivity and local economies. The mayors of affected areas, including New Plymouth, Waitomo, Ruapehu, Ōtorohanga, and Waipa, are demanding an urgent meeting with the NZTA chief executive to discuss options and next steps. The scale of the impact and the level of concern across the region is critical, and the mayors are requesting a meeting within 10 working days, followed by a site visit and targeted discussions on options and next steps. The consequences of regular road closures are significant, and the leaders want a road that can withstand weather events. The NZTA has acknowledged the impact and has met with the Taranaki regional mayors, with a visit from the CEO in May being finalised. However, the focus is currently on safely reopening the road and clearing the massive slip in the Awakino Gorge, which is expected to take until May 2 at the earliest. The NZTA has also implemented a targeted programme of investment, including the Awakino tunnel bypass, to improve road resilience. The issue raises a deeper question about the balance between short-term safety and long-term resilience in road maintenance and investment. The impact of the closures on local businesses, such as the 'ghost town' of Mōkau, highlights the need for urgent collective action and investment in infrastructure to ensure the sustainability and resilience of the region's roads.
