In Transit - October 1995 - Manawatu Gorge reopening

 

New Chairman for Transit New Zealand

Re-opening of Manawatu Gorge following slips

Reopening of Manawatu Gorge, RAAM review, upgrade of Rimutaka Hill and mass and dimensions review

Paremata-Pukerua Bay upgrade and SH57 Potts Hill Bypass opens

This edition of InTransit reports on the following:

• Appointment of the second chair in Transit New Zealand's history (since established in 1989)
• Cosmetic upgrades to parts of Auckland's motorway network in advance of the CHOGM meeting
• $2m spent to repair major slips in SH3 Manawatu Gorge and improve its resilience (Manawatu Gorge road was ultimately closed permanently in 2017 due to instability)
• Review of the Roading Assessment Maintenance Management (RAMM) programme
• Over $1m to be spent on SH2 Rimutaka Hill Road to address the tightest corners, extend passing lanes and shoulders
• Paper presented on heavy vehicle weights and dimensions
• Approval given to upgrade SH1 between Paremata and Pukerua Bay, including duplication of Paremata Bridge, Clearways on Mana Esplanade, 4-laning from Mana through Plimmerton to Pukerua Bay with median barrier on the rural section (subsequently all built), at a cost of $18m
• Opening of SH57 Potts Hill Bypass between Levin and Shannon
• Noting that the National Land Transport Programme will become the National Roading Programme when Transfund is formed in 1996.

Of some note is the decision by Transit NZ to progress upgrades to SH1 from Paremata to Pukerua Bay despite considerable local opposition.  The upgrades had high benefit/cost ratios which justified them being progressed although it was accepted that Transmission Gully was the long term solution, it was not seen as being able to be funded for around 15 years (which would prove to be about correct).   Transit also pursued a bypass of Pukerua Bay which was to have been built within 10 years, but ultimately did not proceed as a strategic decision to progress with Transmission Gully had been made.