Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises State Highway 3 will be closed to traffic in both directions at the Awakino Tunnel Bypass site for two 20 minute periods on Friday morning (13 August).

The first closure is scheduled for 6am and the second at 7am.

These closures are to allow Ngāti Maniapoto to bless two pou sited alongside the road. Due to the limited space around both pou, it is necessary to close the road to ensure the safety of those attending the blessing as well as people travelling on SH3.  

Speed restrictions are currently in place at the Awakino Tunnel Bypass site. A temporary seal has been put on the road, with the final sealing waiting until the summer months when the warmer weather means it will stick to the road better and last longer.

Further south, the maintenance roadworks on SH3 at Mt Messenger are progressing ahead of schedule and are expected to be complete before Friday.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.