Focus on Onaero to Pio Pio Highway

The Onaero to Pio Pio section of SH3 was again under scrutiny when the SH3 Working Party met recently.

The Working Party met for the first time since the new New Zealand Transport Strategy was implemented, and travelled the length of highway prior to their meeting in Pio Pio.

Chairman of the SH3 Working Party, Roger Maxwell says the inspection gave representatives from Taranaki and Waikato an appreciation of the conditions faced in upgrading this section of SH3.

“During the tour members discussed the history of road developments and improvements, issues around maintenance, and plans for future improvements.

“The future security of SH3, which provides Taranaki’s main link North, is a key focus for the Working Party. We need to ensure that this route is maintained open and to a satisfactory level of service,” he says.

Other items included consideration of the Awakino Gorge Strategic Study, improved signage to warn of turning traffic at Onaero Domain; and progress on the transport plans for both Waikato and Taranaki Regional Land Transport Committees. The Working Party confirmed its support for the petition seeking better cell phone coverage along SH3.

“The Working Party is a useful forum for having discussion with our Waikato colleagues as many of these issues cross regional boundaries,” says Mr Maxwell.