Second bridge vital for economic development

11 March 2008

Vision Manawatu, the region’s economic development agency, has welcomed the announcement that a second bridge across the Manawatu River is to go ahead.

Vision Manawatu CEO Andrew Powrie said, “A bridge at Staces Road makes good sense. With the continued residential and industrial development to the north-east of the airport and along Roberts Line, and with other developments taking place across in Aokautere, we think that the siting of the proposed bridge is appropriate. The bridge is a vital part of a new eastern growth corridor, providing access to the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay without having to travel through the city. It will also provide better access to the proposed lake at Aokautere, which I hope will be built eventually for the benefit of residents.”

“We need this bridge – the city is continuing to grow and we do not want to have our growth choked by inadequate roading, as has happened at great cost to the quality of life up in Auckland. “We would also like to see a third bridge in the future to the south of the city somewhere near Linton Camp.”

Chairman of Vision Manawatu, Dr James Lockhart, said that the second bridge is part of the agency’s overall vision for the region to 2030, which is about to be released. “We are about to seek the support of key people in the business community for these plans. “I believe the Palmerston North City Council is on the right track and it is a good start in the quest to provide for the city’s growth over the next 20 years,” he said.

For more information contact:

James Lockhart 021 1933540

| | | |