Ashhurst bypass in the works, says transport agency
A bypass around Ashhurst is among the next steps in the attempt to mitigate problems caused by the closure of the Manawatu Gorge, while a preferred option for a long-term solution is expected to be known by December.
A gathering of more than 300 people crowded into the Ashhurst Village Valley Centre on Wednesday to hear news of the gorge and discuss the effects of its closure, which directs an extra 7000 vehicles a day over the Saddle Rd and through the village.
State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge has been closed since a large slip came down on April 24.
On July 7, repair crews were pulled out of the gorge amid fears for their safety after a large area of loose hillside was identified. The gorge has been closed indefinitely ever since.
NZ Transport Agency highway manager Ross I’anson and relationship manager Emma Speight attended Wednesday’s meeting.
I’anson told the crowd a large area above the Kerry’s Wall rock face, 4.5 kilometres from the Ashhurst turnoff on SH3, was highly unstable and the whole hillside was on the move.
‘‘It is not safe. The rock face is huge... bigger than 2011 slip... the size of a two-storey building.’’
The large slip in 2011 closed the gorge for 14 months.
Meantime, work was under way to establish what would happen if the gorge never reopened. The agency had invited three organisations to apply for a selective tender to investigate longterm options. Tenders close in mid-august.
‘‘By December, we will have a preferred option, and during that time we will do more public consultation.’’
For the gathering, road safety was the primary concern.
Palmerston North deputy mayor Tangi Utikere acknowledged residents’ frustration.
He said the council’s responsibility was for safety on streets adjoining the alternative state highway route.
‘‘There has been a level of ‘rat running’, and we will try to mitigate with that with better signage, electronic signs, and will ask for restrictions on engine brakes to be policed.’’
I’anson said the next steps were likely to include strengthening the railway overbridge on Cambridge St, and creating a bypass around Ashhurst in the short term to ease the issues in town.
Their solution to the noise, smell and vibration of passing trucks through Salisbury St was ‘‘get them out of town’’.
The meeting ended promptly at 6.30pm to enable agency staff to speak at a similar meeting at the Woodville Sports Stadium at 7pm.
There was no time for media to ask additional questions until after the Woodville meeting ended.
Speight promised there would be future meetings.
‘‘We understand how important it is for this community to understand what’s going on while SH3 is closed.’’