The Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway is a 11-kilometre-long (7-mile), four-lane highway under construction connecting Ashhurst and Woodville over the Ruahine Range following the closure of the Manawatū Gorge road in 2017. Construction began in January 2021 and completion is scheduled for mid 2025.[1][2]
 | |
|---|---|
| Te Ahu a Turanga–Manawatū Tararua Highway | |
| Route information | |
| Maintained by NZ Transport Agency | |
| Length | 11.5 km (7.1 mi) |
| Status | Under construction |
| Location | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Highway system | |
History
editManawatū Gorge road
edit
Previously, traffic travelling from the east and west of the central North Island[3] used the Manawatū Gorge road, first opened in 1872.[4] The road closed in 2004 and 2015, and also from 2011 to 2012 that lasted more than a year. On 24 April 2017, a slip from the Tararua Range cut off the road. Following more slips as workers were trying to fix previous ones, the NZ Transport Agency pulled workers from the area because of safety concerns. It was never reopened. Before the gorge road closed, around 7,600 vehicles used the route daily, about 1,100 of which were trucks.[5] Traffic has since been forced to use the windy and steep Saddle road and Pahiatua Track road.[6]
Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway
editIn March 2018, the route was confirmed as the preferred option, running north of the old gorge, between Ashhurst and Woodville and had an estimated NZD$350m–$450m cost at the time.[7][8] Construction began in January 2021 and completion is scheduled for mid 2025 with a estimated final cost $620 million.[9][2][10][11]
Toll proposal
editIn August 2024, a tolling proposal was made by the New Zealand Transport Agency, following a government policy to increase new revenue streams for transport infrastructure. NZTA suggested $4.30 per trip for light vehicles and $8.60 for heavy vehicles.[12] Many Woodville residents opposed the tolling, including cost of living concerns.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway". NZTA.
- ^ a b Kauri, Grant (28 July 2024). "Landscaping season in full swing on Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "Te Ahu a Turanga – it started with a slip". NZTA. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ Tuckey, Karoline (12 October 2017). "Looking back at 145 years of the Manawatū Gorge road". Stuff. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "How many vehicles used the gorge road when it was open?". NZTA.
- ^ Lawrence, Kirsty (19 July 2017). "Manawatu Gorge closure causes strain on two towns". Stuff. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "Decision made on alternative route to Manawatu Gorge - set to cost upwards of $500m". 1News. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Construction of Manawatū Gorge replacement highway to begin". Stuff. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway". NZTA.
- ^ "Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway to open mid-2025". NZ Hearld. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Objections raised to proposed toll for Manawatū Gorge road replacement". RNZ. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "How New Zealanders will pay for the country's new roads". 1News. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Community meeting after 'bolt out of the blue' tolling proposal". 1News. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.