The Manawatū-Tararua highway project has reached a major milestone with the release of the Panel of Commissioners' recommendation report on the road designation.
The report was issued on behalf of Palmerston North City, Tararua District and Manawatū District Council.
The panel recommended the project should proceed, subject to conditions.
The NZ Transport Agency has considered the panel's recommendations and has by and large accepted all the proposed conditions.
In particular, the panel agreed with its proposal to include a sealed shared path for pedestrians and cyclists that is separated from the carriageway, and a $1 million fund to create additional recreational paths that connect to the project.