Mt Messenger option

As a retired civil engineer, I suggest an alternative to the proposed $200 million Mt Messenger bypass – an alternative which will give a good degree of satisfaction to all. It leaves the existing 20-hectare forest area and the Pascoe farm undisturbed and includes gifting the 120h Gilbert Rd farmland to Nga¯ ti Tama.

Presumably this will satisfy all factions within Nga¯ ti Tama and it will certainly satisfy the Pascoes. The major problems with the existing road are near the summit and on the New Plymouth (south) side of it. The existing northern alignment should be left as is, including the passing lane for southbound traffic.

The southern section can be improved without entirely abandoning the existing road. The steeper grades at the climb’s start can be flattened with a moderate amount of earthworks. The summit section, approximately 1.2km long, can be bypassed with a straight two-lane tunnel that’s 600m long at approximately 30m below the existing summit. This alternative will reduce trucking costs and problems but will avoid the substantial costs inherent in abandoning many kilometres of existing adequate highway. My guess is that this solution will save the NZ Transport Agency (taxpayer) at least $100m, it will leave the forest environment substantially intact and it will substantially improve the road for all users.

Colin Bell, New Plymouth

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