Community to have their say on Waikare Gorge Realignment

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The Waikare community is invited to discuss the proposed Waikare Gorge realignment on State Highway 2 tonight at an event hosted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The event will welcome community feedback on a range of proposed changes to the highways. The proposal is in the early stages of development and follows previous engagement with industry and landowners.

Senior Project Manager Rob Partridge says, “The Transport Agency, with our local partners and stakeholders, will be investigating realignment of State Highway 2 through Waikare Gorge to increase safety, resilience and access. We will also be talking to the community about passing opportunities from Napier to Wairoa.”

The Waikare Gorge project is subject to funding and approval of the business case which is in development.

SH2 Waikare Gorge safety realignment project

“As part of the business case process, we want to know how the proposed changes to Waikare Gorge will affect the community and explore what economic opportunities may open up for the area.”

Once feedback from the community is considered alongside industry and stakeholder feedback, a refined set of options will be developed.

The Transport Agency has been using an interactive map to gather feedback from different stakeholders regarding increased passing opportunities along the highway. The map, known as ‘Social Pinpoint’, is available to capture feedback on the current and proposed passing opportunities. The map also allows people to drop pins in places where they think the Transport Agency should consider a passing opportunity.

The open evening for Waikare Gorge realignment and State Highway 2 passing opportunities engagement will be held at Putorino School, Wednesday 13 November, from 5:30pm–7:30pm.

If you would like to have your say but can’t make it to the event you can email waikaregorge@nzta.govt.nz(external link), or follow the link to find out more on the passing opportunities: nzta.govt.nz/sh2-sh35-passing-opportunities(external link)

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