The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is reviewing alternative routes through the Manawatu Gorge after another major slip cut off the road. It’s the third major slip in the past six years.
But with options ranging in price from $120 million to $1.8 billion, it will be years before the region sees any big changes.
“We will continue to look at what option there might be to replace or have an alternative route as a State Highway to the gorge,” says NZTA highway manager Ross I’Anson.
The options aren’t cheap. Building roads just north or just south of the gorge would cost between $120 and $300 million.
Another option is to build several bridges criss-crossing along the river at a cost of $415 million.
A tunnel going through the area would cost a whopping $1.8 billion.
Aside from the cost, other drawbacks include having to remove wind turbines and steep terrain.
The gorge is expected to be closed for three weeks and two detours are in place.
When the road is cut, businesses that rely on traffic passing through, especially those in Woodville, are hit hard.
The local mayor says although shop owners are nervous when the gorge gets cut, there isn’t much appetite for an alternative route.
In the meantime locals are hoping predicted bad weather won’t slow down the clean-up.
Newshub.