Thirteen gorge options discussed

Thirteen alternative routes to the Manawatu¯ Gorge have been laid out for the public to discuss.

The NZ Transport Agency put forward the options for an alternative road to State Highway 3 through the gorge at a meeting at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre on Monday.

The gorge has been closed since April after several slips crashed down and blocked the road.

The agency then announced in July the gorge would be closed indefinitely over fears more material would fall, prompting increased pressure from the public to get a new route sorted as soon as possible.

Now, the agency is giving the public a say by laying out possible routes online.

All of the alternative options can be seen on an online map and digital pins can be placed to allow for comments on different parts of the potential routes.

Options include building a stronger route through the gorge through to building a tunnel. The options range from 6 kilometres to 19km in length.

Agency regional transport systems manager Ross I’anson said it was an important step toward finding the bestperforming option for an alternative route between Manawatu¯ and Hawke’s Bay.

‘‘Receiving feedback from local people and from stakeholders is a vital part of the ongoing process to find a solution for this route.’’

I’anson initially tried to shut down questions from the 150-strong crowd, asking people to instead approach staff one on one after his presentation. He was forced to backtrack in the face of an outcry from the crowd, who wanted a public question-andanswer time.

Questions then flowed about the likely completion date of the alternative route and when people would be approached about land sales.

I’anson said there was no definite completion date yet as the route had not been decided, but said the aim was to have it completed within three to four years.

Ashhurst resident Linda Shannon was concerned she would have to sell land to the Government if one of the four alternative options that ran through her section was chosen.

She wanted an indication of when she was likely to have to give up the land.

I’anson said it was unclear at this stage.

The agency plans to have an alternative route chosen by December. A shortlist would be made once feedback was received, which would be presented to the public in October, he said.

The Saddle Rd and Pahiatua Track are the current alternative routes to the gorge, but they are windy, narrow and take longer to traverse than the gorge did.

GHD Advisory has been contracted to develop a detailed business case for an alternative route to the Manawatu¯ Gorge.

The contractor is helping evaluate the costs, benefits and viability of various options.

Another meeting will be held at the Woodville Sports Stadium at 6pm today. Open days, on October 11 and 12 at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre and the Woodville Sports Stadium, will also be an opportunity to give feedback.