Six-year plan to replace gorge
The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed it is working to a 2024 target to complete the new Manawatu¯ -Hawke’s Bay highway project.
The agency hosted the first of six public information sessions in Palmerston North yesterday, updating progress on the planned replacement for State Highway 3 through the Manawatu¯ Gorge.
The road was closed by slips in April 2017. Three months later, it was deemed too unstable to be repaired and closed for good.
Last week the agency lodged notices of requirement with Palmerston North City, Manawatu¯ and Tararua District councils seeking designations to protect the new route for Te Ahu a Turanga.
It plans to start at the existing Ashhurst bridge, cross the Manawatu¯ River again at the mouth of the gorge, and wind uphill through the Ruahine Range on a route between the Saddle Rd and the gorge to rejoin the existing highway near Woodville.
It is planned to be 11.5 kilometres long and shave 10 minutes off travel times between Palmerston North and Woodville for up to 9700 vehicles a day.
A two-lane roundabout is to be built at the SH57 intersection, and there will be a single-lane roundabout where it will rejoin the existing SH3 on the east.
As well as the new Manawatu¯ River bridge, there will be five other bridges along the route.
The agency has identified some historic sites of significance it will need to work around.
They include the cemeteries near Ashhurst and Woodville, a grove of karaka trees, several pa¯ along the river, and the historic road and rail corridors.
It’s possible more sites of cultural significance could be found, such as storage pits, burial sites, 19th century homesteads or historic industrial sites.
‘‘While we must build a new state highway through this corridor for a variety of environmental, economic and social reasons, we are committed to preserving our history in the region as best we can,’’ the agency said in a brochure prepared for the meetings.
As well as preserving environmental features, the project would aim to increase access to views along the route, with possible access to the river, viewing points and lookouts, and enhancements to the Manawatu¯ Gorge Reserve.
The next step involves calling for public submissions on the designations and a resource management hearing, likely in early to mid-2019.
Later in the year resource management consents will have to be applied for, based on developed designs, with further consultation and a hearing.
The first works on the site could begin in spring or summer of 2019, with the main construction starting in early 2020.