The New Zealand (NZ) Transport Agency has selected a preferred option out of the four shortlisted options for a new State Highway 3 (SH3) route in order to replace the closed Manawatū Gorge.

Manawatū Gorge links the Manawatū, Tararua District, Hawke’s Bay and northern Wairarapa regions.

The selected ‘Option 3’ runs from near the Te Apiti carpark western entry of the Manawatū Gorge, cross the Ruahine Ranges north of the Gorge, before starting at Woodville.

It will have an average incline gradient of 5.8%, with a maximum of 8%.

NZ Transport Agency Regional Relationships director Emma Speight said that Option 3 emerged as the safest route, following a thorough investigation and extensive consultation.

Speight said: “Everybody understands just how important a replacement for the Gorge is. It will re-establish a key strategic transport and freight link that supports the needs of the people and economies of Central New Zealand.”

“The ongoing instability of the Gorge, which ultimately led to its closure in April 2017, has caused huge disruption for the region.”

Set to start immediately, the detailed business case process will cover a ten-year programme of work, targeted for completion at the same time of the replacement route for the Manawatū Gorge.

With the inclusion of a second bridge over the Manawatū River, a safer connection can be built between some of the region’s key industrial areas.

Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said: “The ongoing instability of the Gorge, which ultimately led to its closure in April 2017, has caused huge disruption for the region.

“The replacement route has been a matter of priority for the local councils and mayors, and it’s pleasing to have worked so constructively with the Transport Agency to reach a decision that addresses both the immediate issue and the longer-term strategic issues for the Tararua District and the wider region.”

Over the next few weeks, the agency plans to finalise a detailed business case on the new SH3 route, following which resource consents would be sought by the project team.

Construction is planned to begin in 2020, with the new road slated for completion by 2024.