Labour leader Andrew Little said yesterday he is committed to building a new road to replace the Manawatu Gorge Road, but Tararua District Council has proposed a hybrid tunnel through the existing route.
Mr Little said he'll use all the Government's powers to speed up consenting and construction of the new route, likely to be to the north of the Manawatu gorge through the Te Apiti windfarm.
However, this isn't an option favoured by mayor Tracey Collis and her deputy Allan Benbow who disagree with Mr Little's proposed solution, and while previously preferring a tunnel, Mr Benbow is now investigating a hybrid (partial) tunnel through the existing Manawatu Gorge.
"I find it interesting they (Labour) have come up with a preferred option without talking to the communities involved," Mrs Collis told the Dannevirke News.
The route Labour have indicated would miss Woodville and is significantly longer than any other routes - almost double the length.
"For me it doesn't meet the best economic need of the region. I'm open to options, but to select one from an old report is a bit of a challenge," Mrs Collis said.
"That landscape in there (the gorge) is a significant part of our region it's very much part of us," Mrs Collis said.
"By building a hybrid tunnel we would significantly reduce the cost, coming off the billion dollar figure of a tunnel for the entire length of the gorge and would allow allowing people to drive part way through the gorge.
Mrs Collis indicated the cost of a hybrid (partial) tunnel would be virtually half of the $1.8 billion reported in 2012.
"We want the right solution for the region and we want the Government and NZTA to look at all the options, including those not in that old 2012 report.
"The reason tensions are so high is because people are passionate about this and they want to be consulted."
Mrs Collis said it's important to have a route which will give the greatest growth for our region.
"The Manawatu Gorge is significant to iwi and us all. If we can make it safe and secure, then people can still enjoy what we have in there," she said.
Mr Little said it was sad to say goodbye to the Manawatu Gorge road but, even if it could be re-opened, it has become too unreliable and expensive.
"Over the past decade, State Highway 3 through the gorge has been closed one day in six on average with $40 million spent on maintenance and clearing slips in that time. That makes it 15 times more expensive a vehicle/kilometre travelled than the average for the state highway network," he said.
"Travellers, tourists and the trucking industry need a reliable route and the Saddle Rd simply can't handle the volume of heavy vehicles.
"Expert analysis of the options in 2012 shows that a new route through the Te Apiti wind farm, at a cost of $120m, would be the least expensive and produce the best returns on investment, however, the final decision on which route to build will be made by the New Zealand Transport Agency."