One of the last stretches of unsealed State Highway in the country is now a step closer to being smothered in tarmac.
The first sod has been turned on a project to seal the last remaining unsealed 12 kilometres of State Highway 43 through the Tangarakau Gorge in East Taranaki.
Not everyone is overjoyed at the prospect of a smooth ride.
Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went along to the Whangamomona Hotel for the formalities.
