Transport Minister Steven Joyce has instructed the Transport Agency to add a third option in its consultation for a realignment of State Highway 1 through the Kapiti Coast.
The western link road option was dropped by Mr Joyce last month in favour of two other options for an expressway that would cost more and see hundreds of houses torn down.
Mr Joyce says the move is a result of feedback from public meetings he attended on the Kapiti Coast this week.
He says the western link road option could be built for between $380 million to $500 million, which is less than the other options.
A smaller number of properties, up to 50, would be affected.
But Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan says this option is as unpalatable as the other two.
