He Ara Kotahi road safety audit

ViaStrada was commissioned by the Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) to undertake a NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) compliant scheme stage safety audit of the proposed Manawatu River pedestrian & cycle bridge. Palmerston North’s existing road network is formed in a traditional ‘grid’ layout. The proposed bridge will connect the City’s main urban area (50 km/h) to development on the southern side of the Manawatu River, which includes the Dairy Farm Road research institutes, Massey University and the Linton military camp. The primary roads to the north (Botanical Road and Park Road) are located two blocks from the proposed bridge site via Ruha Street. Dittmer Drive is developed on one side with residential development and has a camping ground located at the northern end. The southern side of Dittmer Drive adjoins the Manawatu River, which has an existing shared pathway running along its northern bank.

The bridge has since been built and named He Ara Kotahi.