The restoration of a vital state highway link has taken a step forward with lodgement of the main works resource consent application for Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway.

The application, comprising more than 2500 pages of information, will be publicly notified for submissions ahead of a hearing later this year.

The NZ Transport Agency, alongside its Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance partners, is seeking a timely process and has requested that Horizons Regional Council refer the application direct to the Environment Court.

“The Transport Agency is pleased to have achieved this key milestone, which provides detailed information on how the new highway will be constructed, along with the measures we are taking to ensure a positive environmental and cultural impact,” owner interface manager Lonnie Dalzell says.

“We know how important restoring this connection is for local communities, travellers and distributers across the lower North Island. That‘s why we‘ve been working hard to ensure we can start building it as quickly as possible.

“We‘re immensely grateful to everyone who has contributed in the preparation of the application, including our project team, our iwi partners and key stakeholders.

“We are currently holding public information sessions around the region and the feedback we continue to hear is about getting construction underway as soon as possible. With the consent application now lodged, we have taken a further step in this direction.”