13/08/2026
We're beginning work on State Highway 3 Awakino Gorge to install 3 new culverts. Here's a quick 101 on what a culvert is, and why they're important for our roads.
Water can be hard on our roads. If water cannot drain away properly, it can build up, adding pressure to the ground, weakening road material and damaging the road surface. This can cause slips and unstable areas become harder to manage.
This is where culverts come in. They're an important drainage structure that helps water move safely under or away from a road. We'll install a culvert where water needs to cross a road, drain away from a slope, or be directed away from an area where it could cause damage.
Good drainage helps protect roads and keeps them safer and more reliable, especially during wet weather.
At Awakino Gorge the 3 culverts we're installing are at the major slip site and will help drain water away from the slip area and into the Awakino River.
Water currently builds up under the slip and over the road. During wet weather, this increases the risk ofthe slip moving more.
Installing the culverts will support work to dry and stabilise the site, reduce the risk of unplanned closures caused by wet weather, and make travelling through this section of SH3 smoother and safer while recovery work continues.
So we can safely install culverts, we'll be closing SH3 through Awakino Gorge from 6am Saturday 22 August to 6pm Tuesday 25 August, subject to weather.
We know this closure will be disruptive, but it’s essential, as there’s not much space in the gorge and we need to open the road and install the culverts underneath it.
Follow us if you aren't already to get regular updates on our progress. There's more information available on our website: nzta.govt.nz/awakino
