In 2017, the section of State Highway 3 through Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge was closed following a series of massive slips. This project is investigating the future of the old road.
In 2017, a series of major slips left SH3 through Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge impassable and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) made the decision to close the road.
Since then, additional slips and rockfalls have occurred, along much of the length of the old road through Te Āpiti Manawatū Gorge. The road has a long history of slips and instability, and in the 20 years before the 2017 slips it was closed 11% of the time due to slips or instability.
We’ve now opened Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway, the new route between Woodville and Ashhurst. Most of the old route remains closed to the public, and work is underway to determine what happens next for it.
The old route is currently closed to all public access due to potentially serious and life-threatening hazards. Our most recent monitoring showed ongoing hillside movement and instability. Much of the danger isn’t visible from the surface. We ask that people please respect the closure and help keep everyone safe.
CloseAfter the route was closed off, engineering geologists surveyed a 11km stretch of Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge, from the Ashhurst Bridge in the west to the intersection with Woodlands Road to the east. They carried out a risk assessment to help inform what options could be safely considered and investigated further.
Findings from the assessment reconfirmed the decision to close the road to vehicles, while opening the possibility of access to parts of the Gorge for people walking, cycling, or riding horses in the future (if risk mitigation measures were put in place).
CloseThere are stretches of the old road at each end that are deemed still safe for vehicles, so we are looking at transferring them to Palmerston North City Council and Tararua District Council. This process is known as ‘revocation’ and involves the removal of the status of ‘state highway’.
CloseWe are investigating ‘road stopping’ for the majority of the route, which is unsafe for vehicles. Once a road is formally ‘stopped’, it ceases to be legal road and may be retained, sold, or transferred for alternative use.
As part of this process, we’re developing a management plan which will outline factors relevant to the land, including safety, liability and costs associated with the route. For example, there are over 100 structures along the old road.
As the old route is no longer part of the transport network, NZTA cannot fund or develop it for alternative uses. Any future development of the route would be the responsibility of a new owner.
CloseIf road stopping were to proceed, NZTA would retain the land initially and begin the Crown land disposal process. Toitū Te Whenua - Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) oversees the disposal process on behalf of the Crown and is responsible for identifying any viable new owner. NZTA facilitates the process. The disposal process can take 2–3 years to complete, as it follows a multi-stage statutory process with distinct legal and administrative requirements.
The revocation of the sections at each end safe for vehicles can happen more quickly.
We recognise the community’s aspirations for Te Āpiti and are committed to a careful, informed process to determine next steps for the old route. This includes targeted engagement with key stakeholders including councils and mana whenua prior to making any decisions to revoke the State Highway status or recommend road stopping.
We recognise Māori as partners and acknowledge that Te Āpiti Manawatū Gorge is a taonga that for hundreds of years has been under the kaitiaki of Rangitāne O Manawatū, Rangitāne Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua, and Ngāti Raukawa iwi.
We will keep stakeholders and community informed on progress.
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