Simon Bridges (centre), Minister of Transport on the Saddle Rd last Wednesday morning.
Simon Bridges (centre), Minister of Transport on the Saddle Rd last Wednesday morning.
With the prospect of State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge never reopening, Transport Minister Simon Bridges is promising a significantly improved and more resilient alternative route to replace it.
Mr Bridges met with residents of Woodville and Ashhurst, as well as talking with media on the Saddle Rd on Wednesday to outline options and timelines.
Rebecca Algie (left), owner of the Bridge Cafe Ballance, with Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis during a visit last Wednesday morning.
"The massive land movement in the gorge has been speeding up recently and the latest slip the previous weekend caused significant damage to bridging and there is a huge risk of other slips towards the end of the year," he said.
"The Government is backing a permanent, more resilient route and while I can't say if it will be the gorge, it's more likely to be a new, alternative route, rather than the gorge.
"The momentum [of slips] is picking up pace and while we will keep an open mind on the gorge, it's much more likely the solution will be an alternative route."
The latest slip at the Ashhurst end could be the nail in the coffin.
Mr Bridges said the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) was working "with pace" to have completed a tendering process with the preferred option and indicative cost due in December. After December NZTA will carry out the design and consenting work for the new route.
"It will take a lot of time," Mr Bridges warned.
"The gorge has served the people of this area for a very long time, but it's windy and narrow, so this would be an opportunity to do something wider and safer and build in resilience.
"We'll continue to look at the best option than to clear the gorge which is no longer sustainable."
Mr Bridges said money wasn't the issue, because with a growing economy the Government can afford the best option.
"Election or no election, the gorge closure was a responsible thing to do, but we realise for the 7500 vehicles which used the road every day and those reliant on the gorge, it was a vital social and economic route."
The NZTA is also working fast on a new road corridor for vehicles coming off the Saddle Rd towards Woodville and on Wednesday they were talking with landowners about buying or leasing the land necessary.
"I understand it will be completed in a couple of months," Alastair Scott, National's MP for Wairarapa said.
The new roading corridor will send traffic down Woodlands Rd and through Woodville, but some businesses are already making contingency plans if business doesn't pick up. Bob Suksreephaisan, owner of Fruitful Woodville for 10 years, said come summer he may have to look at other options.
"We usually have lots of customers from Palmerston North and I've loyal patronage and normally by spring traffic has improved.
"But I could be looking to go and find another job, just to help with expenses if things don't pick up."
However, Bob said at the moment things aren't as bad as during the 14-month gorge closure of 2011-12.
"Our loan has been paid off, that helps," he said.
At Woodville's Fish Spot Mr Bridges was told the business had seen a 30 per cent drop, similar to that of Mr Suksreephaisan, but at the Bridge Cafe on the Ballance Rd, owner Rebecca Algie was experiencing a 70 per cent downturn.
Having owned the business for six years, purchasing just before the 2011-12 gorge closure which resulted in her having to close the doors, Rebecca said it was heartbreaking to have put so much effort into her business to see it fall away.
"I just need to take it one day at a time and hold out for as long as I can."
When asked by Mr Bridges what she would like from the Government, Ms Algie said she was realistic and realised there wasn't much anyone could do and she was working with her accountants and advisers.