14/01/2026
Kia ora Community,
This is the latest email from the NZTA Culvert Projects Team
**IMPORTANT PART: During the SH3 road closure, local roads such as Okau, Uruti and Kiwi roads will be open only to those who live there and workers in the area. These roads are not suitable alternatives for state highway traffic.**
Kia ora,
A reminder about our culvert replacement project, which involves a full road closure of State Highway 3 (SH3) at Ahititi.
The 5-day 24/7 road closure is proceeding as scheduled this week.
The planned road closure is taking place from 12.01am Friday 16 January to 11.59pm Tuesday 20 January 2026.
Dry conditions are needed for this work and we will continue closely monitoring the weather forecast in the lead up to and during the road closure.
At this stage, we do not anticipate using the contingency dates for these culvert works (Friday 23 January - Tuesday 27 January 2026.)
If there are significant changes in the weather that impacts these works, we will review and keep you informed.
About the upcoming road closure
The road closure will take place as planned from 12.01am Friday 16 January to 11.59pm Tuesday 20 January 2026.
The contingency dates are 12.01am Friday 23 January to 11.59pm Tuesday 27 January 2026.
The road will be closed between Okau Road in Ahititi and the Uruti Community Hall, with only residents, workers and business customers in the area given access, where available, from Uruti.
Within the road closure is the culvert worksite. There will be no access through the culvert worksite for any vehicles at any time during the 5-day, 24/7 road closure.
A full road closure is required as the work involves deep excavation, large open trenches and limited space. Heavy machinery, including a crane, will be positioned on the road. As a result, there is no space for vehicles to pass around or safely through the worksite. We are unable to offer scheduled opening times.
During the closure, crews will work 24/7 to fully replace the Mangapepeke No.1 culvert and continue works at the Mangapepeke No.2 culvert site. A temporary single-lane Bailey bridge is being installed at this location to allow traffic to keep moving while further construction works take place. Following the closure, stop/go traffic management and delays will continue while the project is completed.
Access for residents
During the closure, vehicles cannot pass through the culvert worksite at any time. The area marked in orange on the attached road closure map will be accessible to residents, customers and those working in the area only. Please speak to road workers on site at Uruti.
Road workers will also be positioned at Urenui and Piopio to direct road users. Freight and general road users wanting to travel the full length of SH3 will be turned around at these points and advised to take alternative state highways. SH3 access will be maintained on either side of the closure, but the worksite itself will remain closed to all traffic for the full 5 days.
During the SH3 road closure, local roads such as Okau, Uruti and Kiwi roads will be open only to those who live there and workers in the area. These roads are not suitable alternatives for state highway traffic.
Road users need to plan ahead. Consider travelling earlier before the road closure begins or delay travel if you can. The recommended alternative state highways are State Highway 4 or State Highway 1.
