Feedback closed on Friday 30 October.
We sought your feedback on the shortlisted routes and emerging technical preferred option for the Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road in October 2026.
This feedback period formed part of the Indicative Business Case, an early planning stage to identify a preferred route. The ring road aims to make freight movement easier and safer around Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū.
Feedback for this stage closed on Friday 30 October 2026.
How we got to the shortlist
In December 2025, we asked what you thought about a longlist of 26 possible route options across five sections of the ring road.
Those longlist options were assessed and combined into 12 whole-route shortlist options. The 12 routes then went through more detailed technical assessment and transport modelling, which showed where the evidence was pointing. We called this the emerging technical preferred option.
Previous technical and engagement reports
The 12 shortlisted routes
To make them easier to compare, we grouped the 12 shortlisted options into four maps, as many use the same roads, connections or pieces of infrastructure.
Each group includes a map and information about the route options.
Open a route group below to view its map and read about the options.
Existing road network with upgrades
Options 1 and 12
These routes use the existing road network for the ring road.
Option 1 is a network wide programme of road widening, passing lanes and intersection upgrades. Option 12 is a scaled back version that only includes a few of the targeted improvements at key locations that you can see on this map.
The assessment has shown that targeted upgrades can provide worthwhile benefits in some parts of the corridor without necessarily rebuilding the entire route.
Key
Camp Road bridge
Options 2, 4, 6 and 10
These routes all include a new Manawatū River bridge connecting to Camp Road, as well as the Kairanga School bypass.
The main difference between the options is how freight travels through or around Bunnythorpe — using the existing corridor, a northern bypass, a southern grade-separated bypass (bridge or underpass), or a Roberts Line variation.
The technical assessment has identified strong freight, resilience and economic benefits from this general approach, but a new bridge and bypasses would involve substantial new infrastructure and greater property, environmental, cultural and consenting considerations.
Key
Southern bridge
Options 3, 5 and 7
These options include a new Manawatū River bridge further south, connecting towards SH57. Again, the main differences are around how freight travels through or around Bunnythorpe.
A southern bridge would provide another resilient route across the river, but the modelling so far indicates it would attract less traffic and provide fewer transport benefits than the Camp Road location.
Key
Ashhurst bypass and alternatives
Options 8, 9 and 11
These routes include different ways of moving freight away from Ashhurst or the existing Ashhurst Road corridor.
- Option 8 includes a Hacketts Road bypass.
- Option 9 includes a grade-separated bypass (bridge or underpass) of Ashhurst.
- Option 11 uses Stoney Creek Road, Kelvin Grove Road and Roberts Line as an alternative route.
These approaches could reduce the effects of freight through Ashhurst, but the technical modelling indicates there may be relatively limited network benefit compared with upgrading the existing corridor.
Key
Emerging technical preferred option
The shortlist assessment began to show which parts of the different routes performed strongly from a technical perspective.
At the time of the feedback period, the technical work pointed towards a possible combination of targeted upgrades to the existing network, a Camp Road river crossing, and other improvements.
This was not a final route decision
The emerging technical preferred option was a preliminary technical direction, not a confirmed route. We shared it during the October feedback period to show where the assessment was pointing. No preferred route has yet been confirmed.
Further refinement, technical investigations and cultural assessment are still required.
Key
Next steps
Feedback on the 12 shortlisted routes and the emerging technical preferred option formed part of the shortlist assessment and evidence.
A decision on the preferred route and completion of the business case are expected in early 2027.
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