Bridge ‘bonus’ in gorge replacement

Palmerston North could have its second bridge over the Manawatu¯ River within seven years.

The search for a new east-west link to replace the crippled Manawatu¯ Gorge route has created an opportunity to fasttrack construction of a bridge near Whakarongo, at the north-east end of Palmerston North.

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith, a majority of city councillors and most other councils through the Manawatu¯ Whanganui region have put their weight behind proposed option 4, the most southern of the likely routes for the new road across the Tararuas.

Option 4, with an estimate of $450 million to $550m to build, would include the price of a bridge.

The prospect of an upstream bridge as part of a project managed by the New Zealand Transport Agency was a great opportunity that should be seized, Smith said.

‘‘What we have been gifted is the opportunity to complete an east-west link, with a bridge, very quickly,’’ Smith said.

Transport agency regional transport systems manager Ross I’Anson said there was no estimated cost of a bridge at this point.