A significant highway has been closed indefinitely by the threat of massive rock slips.
The NZ Transport Agency said this morning new geotechnical information has highlighted major safety risks in the Manawatu Gorge which are likely to keep the road closed for some time.
The State Highway 3 link from Hawke's Bay-Wairarapa to Manawatu and State Highway 1 on the southern side of the gorge, which separates the Tararua and Ruahine ranges, closed on April 24 because of a slip.
A release from NZTA said an urgent programme of additional work will get underway immediately to significantly improve the alternative Saddle Road route.
Regional transport system manager Ross I'Anson said a significant amount of work has been undertaken in the gorge to clear the slips which have come down since April, but geotechnical engineers have now confirmed that a large area above the Kerry's Wall rock face is highly unstable, with an imminent risk of further significant slips or rockfalls.