Eighth recent SH3 Awakino Gorge closure: Businesses say they're hurting

State Highway 3 through the Awakino Gorge has once again been fully closed, marking the eighth such shutdown in recent months. The closure, set to begin at 6am on Saturday, 22 August, and end at 6pm on Tuesday, 25 August, affects a section of the highway between the rest area near the historic tunnel and the intersection with Manganui Road. This latest disruption is part of ongoing efforts to repair damage caused by a major landslide earlier this year, which has left the road vulnerable to water flow and necessitated urgent infrastructure improvements. Transport agency officials confirmed that the closure is necessary to allow crews to install three new culverts designed to divert water away from the road. These works require heavy machinery and extensive excavation, making it impossible to maintain traffic flow through the area. According to Waka Kotahi incident controller Kendra Ludeke, the decision to close the road was made after exhausting all other alternatives. “We wouldn’t be closing the road unless there was another way,” she stated, emphasizing that the chosen method allows for faster completion of the work and a quicker reopening of the highway. Local businesses along the corridor have expressed frustration over the repeated disruptions. Dev Rawat, owner of the River Run Cafe in Mōkau, described the situation as devastating for small enterprises reliant on passing traffic. “When the road is shut, no one comes into the cafe, and that impacts us a lot,” he said. He noted that previous closures lasting several days had forced him to shut his doors entirely, leading to financial strain. “Last year, the store was closed more than six or seven times, and that’s affecting our business a lot. It’s hard to pay our staff, pay bills and everything.” Rawat called for government support, suggesting that compensation could help alleviate the burden on local businesses. His sentiments echoed those of Bryan Lester, owner of the Mōkau Butcher, who acknowledged the necessity of the roadwork but lamented its economic toll. “I’ve got mixed emotions, the work has to be done, but it’s not good for my business,” he said. During a recent closure, Lester estimated he served only five customers in a single day. “Well, we might close our doors too,” he added, indicating that future closures could prompt similar responses from local shops. The frequency of closures has drawn criticism from local leaders. New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough remarked that the situation has become almost routine. “It’s hard work, isn’t it? But you’ve got to do the work. The problem is that there’s no alternate route, you know, no easily accessible alternative.” This lack of viable detours exacerbates the challenges faced by residents and businesses, particularly given the highway’s role as a critical link between Taranaki and Waikato. Ludeke emphasized the importance of the current project in the broader context of road recovery. She noted that completing this phase of work would represent a significant step forward in restoring the highway’s functionality and preparing it for subsequent stages of improvement. Despite the inconvenience, she praised the patience of the local community and travelers, acknowledging the difficulty posed by the closure. The repeated closures have underscored the vulnerability of the region’s transportation network and the need for long-term solutions. While the immediate focus remains on installing the necessary drainage infrastructure, the ongoing disruptions highlight the complex balance between maintaining road safety and supporting local economies. As the work progresses, the hope is that these measures will lead to a more resilient highway system capable of withstanding future challenges.