Feedback on potential rebuild projects
The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) team has been investigating potential rebuild projects in locations where state highways are most vulnerable during weather events.
In March and April 2024, we held 11 community events across Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa and Tairāwhiti to discuss potential rebuild projects on State Highway 2 and 5 in Eskdale, State Highway 2 around Devil’s Elbow and on State Highway 35 through the Mangahauini Gorge.
We also gathered feedback online, via a 0800 number, email, and a paper feedback form and met with Treaty partners, local councils and other key stakeholders.
Potential rebuild options that were engaged on
Summaries of the feedback and insights received
- Eskdale consultation feedback summary – June 2024 [PDF, 901 KB]
- Devil’s Elbow consultation feedback summary – June 2024 [PDF, 1.6 MB]
- State Highway 35 Mangahauini Gorge consultation feedback summary – August 2024 [PDF, 678 KB]
Thank you for your important insights and the time taken to engage with us.
What’s next
These potential rebuild options are subject to NZTA Board endorsement and funding.
Due to the constrained fiscal environment Rebuild projects will not be funded through the 2024 Budget process this year.
Any potential Rebuild projects could seek funding approval through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), however this will need to be carefully considered against existing commitments and priority areas.
NZTA has asked TREC to complete the SH2 Devil’s Elbow and SH2/SH5 Eskdale business cases so they can be used for any future funding considerations.
SH35 Mangahauini Gorge recovery work is ongoing. Although the investigations looked at potentially making changes to the road alignment and alternative routes, we are now focusing on recovery work to restore and protect the state highway on its existing alignment through the gorge.
We are planning further recovery works to restore and help protect the highway through Mangahauini Gorge. We will work closely with iwi/hapū, council, local contractors, and other stakeholders on the scoping of these works.
Devil’s Elbow and Eskdale recommended options
All the feedback and insight we received from our community events and other engagements have been considered during our technical investigations and concept design development and have helped shape our recommendations.
The recommendation for both Devil’s Elbow and SH2/SH5 in the Esk Valley is to upgrade parts of the existing corridors, with improved drainage solutions, targeted realignments and a bridge or arch culvert at sharp bend for Devil’s Elbow.
The options include a replacement for Esk River Bridge and a safer SH2/SH5 intersection with a single lane roundabout.
Further information can be found here:
- Eskdale recommended resilience improvements – June 2024 [PDF, 1.6 MB]
- Devil’s Elbow recommended resilience improvements – June 2024 [PDF, 1012 KB]
Some people provided feedback on alternative routes to bypass SH2 Devil’s Elbow and the idea of realigning SH5 Esk Valley and constructing it at a higher level.
The alternative routes have benefits (such as travel time savings), however the costs outweigh these additional benefits considerably so our recommendation in the business cases is to make improvements to the existing corridors.
TREC bypass investigations – Devil’s Elbow info sheet 2024 [PDF, 3.8 MB]
A new alignment option for SH5 would significantly impact landowners and result in adverse flood impact on properties during significant weather/flooding events. The new alignment option will not be recommended in the business case.
