One of the significant slips in the Awakino Gorge
The 2026 budget will be remembered as one which, in times of financial challenges, was bold enough to recognise in roading it is better to solve the problem, not the symptoms.
Roy Pilott
That’s why in December a $350 million bypass will replace the arduous climb over Mount Messenger, 36km south of the Awakino Gorge
Te Ara o Te Ata will be a 6km, two lane road between Ahitītī and Uruti and the project will inject the thick end of $100 million into the Taranaki economy. In terms of driving time it will save a handful of minutes – but its value is far greater than that.
On the Waikato side of the gorge, significant work has been completed to give motorist a clear road in and out – avoiding the narrow tunnel.
To not resolved issues with a 14km long gorge which is prone to slips and is being closed more and more often would be inconsistent with the reasoning behind those two projects.
In a golden triangle, businesses are celebrating the announcement of confirmed funding to extend the four lane Waikato expressway south to Piarere.
Taranaki is also an economic powerhouse and looks north. Ensuring that province can get to market efficiently is a no brainer.
