New developments along State-Highway Three north of New Plymouth are expected to open up Taranaki to other regions.

New Plymouth's MP Jonathon Young said Taranaki locals will welcome the news of improvements to State Highway Three north of the region.

The Government has announced two significant changes on the road, with an 80 million dollar bypass at Mount Messenger, and a 9 million dollar by-pass of the Awakino Gorge Tunnel.

Mr Young said the news is fantastic for the Taranaki region.

He said it will make the trip to New Plymouth from northern cities less intimidating.

"Mt Messenger has always been a bit of a barrier, psychologically, and I think that having a great route through that beautiful part of New Zealand is going to make that a very enjoyable journey for people from Auckland."

Mr Young said further changes can still be made to the road, but this is a great start.

"It's gonna make the journey quicker, safer, easier ah that's got to be good for us in New Plymouth and Taranaki."