Weekly update No. 10: Manawatū Gorge closure

This weekly update, 22 September 2017, is produced by the NZ Transport Agency to provide the latest information about the impact of the Manawatū Gorge closure.

You are receiving this update because you either registered or you are on our stakeholder list. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, please unsubscribe.

We’re keen to hear your questions or any feedback about our work. Drop us a line at: manawatugorge@nzta.govt.nz and we will get back to you within 3 working days.

Long list of alternative route options and public meetings

We’ve been working hard for the past several weeks to develop a long list of alternative route options that will deliver a long term, resilient solution for the Manawatū Gorge. This includes engagement with local government, regional stakeholders, industry groups and community representatives.

We can now confirm that a long list of options will be available for public feedback from next Monday, 25 September.

We’ve looked at all previously identified alternative routes and assessed new proposals, to present you with a broad range of possible solutions.

An interactive website will be available to make it quick and easy for you to provide feedback. The website will allow you to place virtual “pins” onto a map illustrating the different options and you’ll be able to attach your feedback to the “pin”.

You can access this website via our Manawatū Gorge project page, at www.nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge from Monday 25 September. We hope this will encourage people from across the region to engage in the process, so that we can collect feedback, comments and suggestions from as many people as possible.

Public meetings to provide an overview of the long list will be held on Monday 25 September 6pm at the Palmerston North Convention Centre and Tuesday 26 September, 6pm at the Woodville Sports Stadium. The meetings give you an opportunity to review the long list of options and talk to Transport Agency representatives.

Public open days where you can provide feedback on the options will be held on Wednesday 11 October at the Palmerston North Convention Centre and at the Woodville Sports Centre on Thursday 12 October. Both open days will run from 3pm to 8pm. Public feedback on the options will be open until Monday 23 October.

Pahiatua Track maintenance

We are continuing to monitor and maintain the Pahiatua Track using traffic control, so some minor delays may occur. We thank you for your patience during these activities.

Resurfacing on Salisbury Street

The resurfacing work on Salisbury Street started this week, after delays due to wet weather.  Works will continue as weather allows over the next two weeks, which will temporarily impact on access to driveways. The works will be undertaken in stages with affected properties notified prior to work commencing and some local short term detours will be in place. In order to complete resurfacing at the end of Salisbury Street a westbound Saddle Road closure will be put in place.

These works are dependent on fine weather so please check our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nztacni/ for up to date travel information.   

Mulgrave Street resurfacing design work has now been completed with work expected to start upon completion of the Salisbury Street resurfacing works.

Saddle Road upgrade

We are continuing to monitor the Saddle Road and make repairs as required to ensure it remains safe. We are finalising plans for completing the last two sections for the Saddle Road upgrade and it is anticipated that these works will commence in late 2017. We are actively working on minimising the impact of the works for the travelling public.

Please check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nztacni/ for the latest news and updates on the works.

Update on temporary bypass of Ashhurst & Woodville realignment

We are continuing to investigate potential bypass routes of Ashhurst and as part of this process we are working with a variety of local property owners on potential options for access.

More information

For more information on the SH3 Manawatū Gorge 2017 closure, contact us at manawatugorge@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge