Long-term solution for Manawatu Gorge

Traffic makes its way down the Saddle Rd towards Ashhurst on a widened and improved road.

The priority is to get the Manawatu Gorge open as soon as possible, but mayors from throughout the region have met to discuss future long-term plans.

Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis, Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith and Manawatu Mayor Helen Worboys met with New Zealand Transport Agency staff on Wednesday.

"It's obvious we need to get the work on the Saddle Rd completed and we talked about the long-term options for the gorge and the challenges they pose," Mrs Collis said.

"Any work would require major earthworks in a unique environment and involve resource consents."

Work has continued on repairs to a damaged retaining wall, with steel, concrete and the tying back of the wall under the road. Another new, small slip is being cleared today.

Mrs Collis said the option of bringing the Saddle Rd up to the standard of a highway was talked about, as was bridging the Manawatu Gorge.

"Whatever decision is made, we need to have infrastructure there for 100 years," she said.

Previously Mrs Collis had been in favour of a tunnel, but she said options would depend on what was affordable.

Tararua district deputy mayor Allan Benbow is in favour of a tunnel and believes Norwegian tunnelling experts should be brought in to advise.

"A tunnel is my number one wish, but there isn't an unlimited pot of money," Mrs Collis said.

"If money wasn't a factor ..."

NZTA highway manager Ross I'Anson said officials had looked carefully at alternative options.

"A recent report commissioned by the transport agency listed options to bypass or replace the current Manawatu Gorge route. These options ranged from $120 million to $1.8 billion," he said.

Mrs Collis said the risk and geology of the Manawatu Gorge needed to be fully understood.

"Any major work on the gorge would mean it would be shut for a significant amount of time, so completing the current work and getting the road open is the priority. This is a significant road and we need a solution, but we have to appreciate this is a sensitive environment."

Meanwhile, the five-week closure of the gorge is putting huge pressure on the volunteer-run St John Health Shuttle services from Dannevirke to Palmerston North.

With at least six return trips a day by the shuttles and other trips by the service's car, the Saddle Rd is making it harder to operate, said Don Stewart of Dannevirke St John.

"Taking the Saddle Rd extends our travel times and it also affects our clients, putting them under extra stress," he said.

"Our volunteers are getting up in the dark to get patients to Palmerston North Hospital for dialysis and day surgery by 7am and it amazes me how dedicated they are.

"The Saddle Rd detour means we've a lot more maintenance on clutches and brakes for the shuttles and there's always one vehicle in dock."

While Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott is adamant a tunnel through the Manawatu Gorge isn't a goer, Labour candidate Kieran McAnulty told the Dannevirke News if the Wairarapa was a marginal seat the Government would have done something by now.

"The gorge closure is hurting and there needs to be a long-term solution," he said.

"It would take a significant effort to strengthen the gorge, but the Government has to realise its importance to the region and to give the resources to NZTA to come up with a solution and options."