In 2017 the section of State Highway 3 near Palmerston North was shut to traffic. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Officials are still considering possible ways to reopen parts of the Manawatū Gorge road for recreational use.
In 2017 the section of State Highway 3 near Palmerston North was shut to traffic for good after a series of large slips made it too dangerous to continue using.
Its replacement road Te Ahu a Turanga - Manawatū Tararua Highway between Woodville and Ashurst is set to open in the coming months.
Plans have been in the works to look at reopening parts of the Manawatū Gorge road.
Seismic assessments have confirmed the possibility of access to parts of the gorge for people walking, cycling, or riding horses in the future.
When RNZ asked for an update on what was planned for the old route, NZTA Waka Kotahi system design regional manager Lisa Malde said safe sections of the road had been identified and could be handed over to Palmerston North City Council and Tararua District Council.
"A draft business case has been formed for this.
"We are continuing our discussions with key stakeholders on both of these plans, and we expect to be in a position to confirm them later this year."
NZTA has also worked on a plan for revocation of the road, which takes away its State Highway status.
Tararua District Council told RNZ it could not yet comment on the future of the old road.
"We haven't seen the final business case yet so can't comment on that, but we understand the priority for NZTA right now is getting the highway finished and open.
"We are meeting with NZTA in the coming weeks to work through the next steps around revocation of the old road."
Palmerston North City Council said it was looking to NZTA and the government to confirm a solution for the future of the gorge road.
"We're more than happy to discuss potential options with them, our iwi partners and other key stakeholders."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
