Plans for Bypass Near Completion

The detailed design for the Ruby Bay bypass is being finalised and Transit expects to start constructing the long-awaited road next year.

The 10.7km road is expected to cut travel times between Motueka and Richmond and take pressure off the existing coastal route.

Transit’s August newsletter says the initial design has been enhanced in a number of ways, including easing the tightest curve at the project’s southern end.

A section of the central road has also moved further west avoiding the council’s water supply infrastructure and allowing Old Coach Rd to remain unaffected.

The multimillion dollar project was suspended in 2002 due to funding issues but was brought back on to the roading agenda after the Government announced an extra $1.3 billion funding package for roads in its 2006 budget.

Transit says a full display of the road alignment will be at the Richmond library until August 31.

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