A new Beehive press statement succinctly refers in the headline to “the Manawatū Gorge replacement highway”. The statement proceeds to tell us the highway has been given a name as long as the highway itself. It’s Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway.
We imagine the signposts to accommodate that wording will chew into more than a few of the trees in the Government’s billion trees planting programme.
Whatever it is officially called, or what motorists might prefer to call it, Transport Minister Michael Wood wants us to know the ground has been broken for Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway – the new road that will replace the former SH3 route through the Manawatū Gorge.
This was among the latest items of news from the Beehive, which also advised us:
- Environment Court Judge Melanie Harland and Wellington Queen’s Counsel Andru Isac have been appointed Judges of the High Court, sitting in Auckland and Wellington respectively,
- The game development sector’s exports grew by more than 59 per cent in the year to April 2020 to reach $324 million (around 2% of the dairy sector’s annual exports of some $16 billion). The industry has reported growth of an average 43 per cent a year over the past eight years.
- Cook Islands and New Zealand officials have been instructed to continue working together to put in place all measures required to safely recommence two-way quarantine-free travel in the first quarter of 2021. [Had there been any suggestion they should not do this?] New Zealand will work “at pace” to implement quarantine-free access for travellers from the Cook Islands to New Zealand as a first step in a phased approach to resumption of two-way quarantine free travel between the two nations.
Hmm. Will travellers get to the Cooks sooner than they can drive on the new highway?
Probably, despite that language employed in the press statement which announced Manawatū Gorge replacement highway motors ahead
The ministerial preference for “motors ahead” contrasts somewhat with an RNZ headline – Manawatū Gorge replacement road to finally go ahead – on a report in September announcing the deal has finally been signed to enable work on “the Manawatū Gorge replacement road” to begin soon.
This report noted that the original gorge track connecting Ashhurst and Woodville has been closed since 2017 because of continual slips.
But after almost a year of consultation, the $620 million project has been signed.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford was in Woodville for the official signing between the Alliance group designing, constructing and delivering the project Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Aurecon and WSP.
The 11.5km highway between the two towns will reconnect the Manawatū with Tararua District, Hawke’s Bay and northern Wairarapa.
Twyford said it would restore the vital link for locals, travellers and businesses across the North Island.
“It will also help with the region’s economic recovery,” he said.
The highway at that time was expected to be open to the public by the end of 2024. It will be fascinating to learn what happens when the project motors ahead.
Last month news was posted on NZ City under the headline A long awaited highway for Manawatu Gorge has the green light.
This said the Environment Court had granted resource consent for what it named “the Manawatu Tararua Highway project”.
NZTA wants to build the four lane highway to replace State Highway 3 between Woodville and Ashhurst.
The latest news comes from the office of Transport Minister Michael Wood, who presumably wanted us to know he is a dab hand at wielding whatever tool or instrument he used when he broke ground for the new road that will replace the former SH3 route through the Manawatū Gorge.
Our caring PM delights in occasions like this and joined Wood, along with Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis, local MPs Tangi Utikere and Kieran McAnulty, iwi and community leaders.
Wood described the project as a great example of the Government’s focus on accelerating the economic recovery.
“This project is creating hundreds of jobs and has a target to employ 60 per cent locals on the project, which will help upskill the region’s workforce.
“The new road will reconnect Manawatū, Tararua, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, helping freight move quicker and assisting the region’s economic growth.
“Safety is our top transport priority and the new highway will be built to the latest safety standards. There will be a central median barrier along the highway, 1.5m wide shoulders, and slow vehicle lanes to allow people to pass heavy trucks safely.
“We’re also building back better and the highway will include a safe separated path which will link up to other local pathways, supporting cycle tourism in the region.”
Bearing in mind the amount of timber and other resources we imagine will be needed for the signage, we note that tree planting has not been forgotten.
“The project team is working to protect the environment as much as possible. They will plant 46ha of native forest, protect and enhance 48ha of existing forest, undertake pest control in 300ha of forest reserve and rehabilitate 28km of streams through planting 110ha of plants around waterways. Around two million plants are expected to be planted.
Ah – but maybe a shortened version of the road’s name will be used and some trees will be spared, because next thing we are told is that the name has been shortened and –
Te Ahu a Turanga will be 11.5km of new highway between Ashhurst and Woodville, with six bridges and structures, and a shared path for walkers and cyclists.
According to Wood’s announcement, the highway is expected to be completed at the end of 2024 – just as we were told back in September.
Here’s hoping the project fares better than Transmission Gully.
Latest from the Beehive
12 DECEMBER 2020
Next steps towards Quarantine-Free Travel between the Cook Islands and New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.
11 DECEMBER 2020
Appointment of Judges of the High Court
Environment Court Judge Melanie Harland and Wellington Queen’s Counsel Andru Isac have been appointed Judges of the High Court, sitting in Auckland and Wellington respectively, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today.
Manawatū Gorge replacement highway motors ahead
Transport Minister Michael Wood broke ground for Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway – the new road that will replace the former SH3 route through the Manawatū Gorge today.
New Zealand’s game development sector continues to go from strength to strength despite COVID challenges.
Point of Order 
Reblogged this on Rangitikei Environmental Health Watch.
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