Weekly update No. 8: Manawatū Gorge closure

This weekly update, 8 September 2017, is produced by the NZ Transport Agency to provide the latest information on work to address 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: www.nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge and we will get back to you within 3 working days.

Work underway on alternative Gorge options

The team working on the Manawatū Gorge alternative route business case have been assembling all known alternative route options. This has included engaging with government and council representatives to establish possible new alternatives. All options, along with community suggestions, will be compiled into the long list of  options.

The long list of options will be available for public comment and feedback from late-September on the project webpage www.nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge. They will also be outlined at public meetings in Palmerston North and Woodville scheduled for late September. In the next week we’ll have more information about the meetings and how you can get involved. We’ll be providing this information on our website, in the Manawatu Standard, through social media and via this weekly update.

We are committed to working quickly to develop recommendations, which means that there will be a relatively short timeframe for engagement. If you are receiving these updates you will also receive information about opportunities to engage in this process.

Pahiatua Track maintenance

Minor maintenance activities are being undertaken on the Pahiatua Track this week so there will be traffic control and minor delays may be experienced during the works. We thank you for your patience during these activities.

Resurfacing on Salisbury Street

Surface preparation work has commenced on Salisbury Street and will continue next week. The works being undertaken will raise utility service covers, and there will be surface milling activities at both ends of the street to tie into the surrounding road surfaces. Sections of asphaltic concrete will be laid next week, temporarily impacting access to driveways. The works will be undertaken in stages with affected properties notified prior to work commencing and are expected to continue for the next couple of weeks (weather dependant).

This new surface will reduce the noise and vibrations being experienced by those living on Salisbury Street and other surrounding streets. As the new surface is being applied along the full length of Salisbury Street, the works will be undertaken in sections. This will result in some local short term detours during each day to allow the machines to operate.  Detour routes will be signposted accordingly as the works continue.  

Mulgrave Street resurfacing work is currently being designed with work expected to commence after the Salisbury Street resurfacing works are complete.

Signage in Ashhurst

A review of detour signage has been completed and new signs have been ordered to help ensure traffic is directed along the correct detour route through Ashhurst. This will encourage traffic to move along the detour route in a safe and efficient manner and complement the traffic calming mechanisms that have already been put in place. We are also looking to reduce the number of streets that will be impacted by the detour.

Update on temporary bypass of Ashhurst & Woodville realignment

We are continuing to investigate potential Ashhurst bypass routes, as well as an opportunity for realignment of the route to guide traffic back through Woodville. As part of this we are working with a variety of local property owners on potential options for access. Negotiations with property owners remain confidential until they are concluded. We’ll continue to update you as information is available.

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