The Mt Messenger bypass will shorten journey times and increase safety.

The long awaited decision giving approval to the $200 million Mt Messenger bypass in North Taranaki has been announced.

On Monday independent commissioner Stephen Daysh revealed resource consents for the massive roading project had been granted.

The 5.2km bypass on State Highway 3 will be one-kilometre shorter than the current route that winds its way up and over Mt Messenger, about 40 minutes drive north of New Plymouth.

SIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF The project also includes a 230m long tunnel.

The bypass will include a 120m bridge over a wetland and a 230m tunnel and save four minutes driving time for light vehicles and 6.5 minutes for heavy vehicles.

It is also expected to significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on the road.

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SIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF A 120 metre bridge will be built over wetlands.

Regional Transport Committee chairman Craig Williamson described the announcement as the best Christmas present Taranaki has had for years.

"We've been advocating strongly for this project for years, indeed decades, directly to the Government as well as through the SH3 Working Party," Williamson said.

"When procedural details are settled, the way will be clear at last."

Williamson said the consents hearing, which took months to complete, was an important process and had achieved positive results for the project and the environment.

"And happily, detailed design work continued non-stop during the three months the hearing took place.

"That means we can expect physical work to start soon."

Environmental measures to be taken include establishing a 3650-hectare pest management area, restoring six hectares of swamp forest and planting 200 seedlings of the same species for every tree felled.

A hectare of stream-bank will also be protected with fences and vegetation.

Williamson said the project was of enormous importance both economically and socially.

"It ticks all the boxes in terms of supporting livelihoods, improving lifestyles and taking Taranaki forward."

The budgeted $199.6m funding for the project was in place and Williamson said it would enhance Taranaki as well as Waikato.

New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom described the announcement as a massive step forward.

"This work is critical to improving the resilience of Taranaki's northern gateway and the current State Highway is far too prone to closures due to slips and ground movement," Holdom said.

Taranaki needed a reliable road north and the new route would be safer, faster and easier for motorists and that meant lower transport costs for businesses; so it's better for our people and our economy, he said.

In a written statement NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) regional relationships director Parekawhia McLean said the decision and recommendations granting the resource consents were major milestone and reflected a tremendous amount of effort and input from technical experts, communities and other stakeholders.

McLean said the agency was considering the Commissioner's decision and recommendation and would not comment further at this stage.

NZTA and all submitters have a 15-working-day appeal period to the Environment Court regarding the resource consent decisions.