Manawatu Gorge open to traffic

The slip on the Manawatu Gorge has been cleared and the gorge will reopen.

The Manawatu Gorge is back in business after a slip forced its closure last week.

New Zealand Transport Agency regional journey manager Delaney Myers said specialists had assessed the site, and it was now considered safe for traffic to use it around the clock.

However, the road past the slip site will remain at one lane with traffic lights and a 30km/h speed limit for the next few weeks.

"We need to keep the lane beside the slip closed until we install rockfall netting to provide extra protection to motorists.

"We also plan to install even more rockfall netting over the next year or two at several locations throughout the gorge.

"We'll have someone on site day and night to monitor the site and keep an eye on traffic flow. We don't expect any problems, but we want to be there to respond just in case.

"While the slip has been a headache for everyone, we did take advantage of the opportunity to bring forward a few maintenance activities to reduce disruption over the next few months for motorists.

"We've re-marked the road, cleaned marker posts, installed new cats' eyes, cleaned out drains and inspected retaining walls and risk sites."

Ms Myers praised the heavy transport industry and its courteous behaviour on the alternate routes.

She said users of the Saddle Rd would have noticed that improvements already made had made it a far superior route to what it was in 2011.

"Once the Saddle Rd upgrade is completed, we will have a detour route available that is much safer, easier and quicker to drive."