The review will form the basis of a corridor strategy to attract greater recognition of the role that the highway plays in supporting both regional and national economic development.
Road users have been lobbying government departments to make improvements to the route, particularly the steep and narrow section of highway over Mt Messenger in North Taranaki.
But they have also been arguing about the importance of the highway as an alternative heavy transport route when weather conditions block the main roads through the Central Plateau.
Mr Trundle said anecdotally SH3 had consistently been identified as a constraint to growth and access, but the survey would get a clear picture of the actual impacts on businesses and residents along the route.
He said as well as being strategically important to Taranaki, SH3 would also play a vital role in future plans that could significantly add to the country's economy. These would develop through initiatives such as an east-west road corridor and "blue highway" linking other parts of New Zealand to Port Taranaki, and beyond to markets in Australia and Asia.
But he said despite its importance, SH3 had always struggled to gain funding.
"The challenges for the highway are compounded by difficult terrain and high development costs, and this survey seeks to determine the true value of the route and what significant improvements to it may deliver," he said.
Mr Trundle said industry input especially would play a vital role in the report's development, along with the economic and technical investigation, to ensure it was supported by credible analysis.
The survey has been developed by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and the report is expected to be completed by Easter next year.
"The outcome will be a business case that should encourage policymakers to think differently about SH3, its role, resourcing needs and importance in the national transport network," Mr Trundle said.
To complete the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SH3-ED
