Media statement | 14 September 2006

Funding approved for construction of Bell Block bypass

The Land Transport NZ Board has approved funding for the construction of the Bell Block bypass and Mangaone Hill four-laning project on State Highway 3 in Taranaki.

The project involves the construction of a bypass to the south of Bell Block township, east of New Plymouth, and the four-laning of SH3 from the base of Mangaone Hill through to a grade-separated intersection at Henwood Rd.

Land Transport NZ Midlands Partnership Manager Rosalie Orr said the project would increase efficiency and improve safety on a heavily used section of SH3 by increasing capacity, raising speed restrictions and improving traffic flow by removing through traffic from Bell Block.

Mrs Orr said funding approval for the project was linked to an agreement between New Plymouth District Council and Transit NZ to integrate the local roading network with the upgraded section of highway.

The amount of funding approved for the project will remain confidential until construction contracts have been awarded by Transit New Zealand.

For more information

Rosalie Orr
Midlands Partnerships Manager
Land Transport NZ
07 958 7859  or  0274 523 230