The NZ Transport Agency is preparing to release a long list of options for a long term resilient solution for the Manawatū Gorge route.
Regional Transport Systems Manager Ross I’Anson says the Transport Agency has been working for the past several weeks to develop the long list, including engagement with local government, regional stakeholders, industry groups and community representatives.
The long list of options will be available for feedback from next Monday, 25 September.
‘We know how keen people are to see these options, and we’ve worked hard with our local partners to get to this point as quickly as possible. We’ve looked at all previously identified alternative route options as well as assessing new proposals, so that we can present a broad range of possible solutions for public feedback.’
Mr I’Anson says the Transport Agency will be making an interactive website available to make it quick and easy for people to provide feedback on options.
‘The website will allow people to place virtual “pins” onto a map illustrating the different options and they’ll be able to attach their feedback to the “pin”. We hope this will encourage more people to engage in the process, so that we can collect feedback, comments and suggestions from as many people as possible for review and consideration.’
Mr I’Anson says along with the interactive website, which will go live from 25 September, the Transport Agency will be hosting two public meetings and two open days in Palmerston North and Woodville.
The public meetings will be held on Monday 25 September in Palmerston North and Tuesday 26 September in Woodville. The meetings will give people an opportunity to review the long list of options and talk to Transport Agency representatives.
Separate public open days where people can provide feedback on the options will be held in Palmerston North on Wednesday 11 October and in Woodville 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.
Mr I’Anson says the public engagement process will help to identify the best performing option for an alternative route that delivers the best outcomes for the region by December 2017.
More information about how people can have their say will be available on the project website from September 25, at www.nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge
| Location | Date | Time |
| Palmerston North Convention Centre 354 Main Street Palmerston North View map(external link) |
Monday, 25 September 2017 | 6.00pm |
| Woodville Sports Stadium 64 Ross Street Woodville View map(external link) |
Tuesday, 26 September 2017 | 6.00pm |
| Location | Date | Time |
| Palmerston North Convention Centre(external link) | Wednesday, 11 October 2017 | 3.00pm to 8.00pm |
| Woodville Sports Stadium(external link) | Thursday, 12 October 2017 | 3.00pm to 8.00pm |
