Topic: Awakino Gorge Tunnel
Topic type:
Not really in Taranaki but ..... we have to go through it to get north!
The tunnel is cut through the 25 million-year-old Oligocene limestones of the Te Kuiti Group.
In 2011 the desirability of removing the tunnel itself was again raised by the Taranaki transport industry but met with some vocal opposition. Eventually 400 mm was shaved off the sides to make it a little easier for large trucks pass through.
The Awakino Valley road and tunnel was opened in 1923-24. It was welcomed as a replacement of the difficult, winding Taumatamaire Road to the west.
The 2.3 km by-pass of the tunnel - including two bridges - was begun in October 2019.
