The extended closure of State Highway 3 (SH3) cutting off Taranaki again highlights the importance of resilience investment says National Road Carriers Association (NRC).

Severe weather on Saturday along the SH3 Awakino Gorge road has caused multiple massive slips between Mokau and Piopio with mud still pouring down through the trees.

NRC Commercial Transport Specialist Paula Rogers said NZTA’s contractor Downer is working long hours to clear the road and plans to continue working over Anzac weekend. Engineers are doing geotechnical assessments but it may be another week or more before a lane is opened on the road which is the main freight route into Taranaki.

Rogers said SH3 has been closed seven times in the last 12 months due to rockfalls, heavy rainfall causing flooding, slips and mudslides and a planned five-day full closure in January to replace a major culvert at Ahititi.

NRC GM Policy and Advocacy James Smith said this most recent unscheduled closure of SH3 and the disruption and expense it has caused highlights the importance of resilience investment to keep New Zealanders supplied with goods and to get our regional exports to ports.

“Every year we are having multiple road closures around the country. We know New Zealand has a challenging geography but we need to prioritise upgrades to our state highways and regional roading network to keep people fed, clothed and housed and keep the economy moving.”

Rogers said transport operators are reporting staff shortages as a result of detours caused by the SH3 closure and work time hours running out as drivers must take a 30-minute break after five and a half hours on the road and there is a maximum of 13 hours driving per work-day. The longer detours also consume more diesel that is at record high prices.

“Concern has been raised by many transport operators regarding the recent snowfall on the Desert Road. If another snowfall was to shut the Desert Road drivers would need to travel SH5 and SH2 adding an extra four or five hours or to travel SH32, SH41 and SH4 which is a challenging route for heavy vehicles. 

“Drivers not knowing these detour roads is an issue. When roads were closed in Northland there were more accidents as a result of drivers not being familiar with the alternative routes.

“Other potential issues include delays getting to ferry crossing bookings on these alternative routes and challenges delivering fuel to farmers and delivering rural community supplies.”

Rogers said all road users should check the NZTA Journey Planner prior to travel.