The main highway connecting the Hawke's Bay and Manawatu will stay closed for another three weeks.
State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge was cut off following a large slip, between Ashhurst and Woodville, on April 24.
The clean-up and repair work has repeatedly been delayed due to further slips, poor weather and safety concerns.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says it will be another three weeks before it opens.
The slip has been cleaned-up and rock fall netting is in place but further geological assessments, and possibly more work, still need to be carried out to ensure the area is safe.
Highway Manager Ross I'Anson says rock on either side of the slip is cracking and there are concerns this could fall onto the road.
"We understand how frustrating the current situation in the gorge is, and we know the significant impact it is having for road users, businesses and residents, but the safety of road users is paramount," he said.
NZTA is reviewing alternative routes through the gorge as this is the third major slip in the past six years.
But with options ranging in price from $120m to $1.8b, it will be years before the region sees any big changes.
The options include:
- Building roads just north or just south of the gorge would cost between $120 and $300 million
- Another option is to build several bridges criss-crossing along the river at a cost of $415 million
- A tunnel going through the area would cost a whopping $1.8 billion.
Meanwhile, those travelling between the Hawke's Bay and Manawatu can use alternative routes through Pahiatua Track and Saddle Road until the gorge reopens.
Businesses at Woodville that rely on traffic heading through the gorge say they're suffering, with some saying customer numbers have dropped dramatically.
Newshub.
