"It's not great and nobody seems to be stepping up to the plate with regards to the future of the gorge," he said.
"Our volunteers take it in their stride, but this is a nightmare."
Concerned by the rising level of vehicle maintenance involved in her commute, including a wheel alignment after taking on a massive pothole on the Saddle Rd last Monday, Dannevirke's Fiona Carson handed in her resignation as a concrete truck driver.
However, not wanting to let a good employee go, her boss at Firth Concrete in Palmerston North compromised with a solution which suited Fiona.
"I'll have Wednesday and Friday off, which should help with the costs and stress," she said.
But Mrs Carson's early morning commute to Palmerston North over the Saddle Rd continues to have its hair-raising moments.
"Last Tuesday a truck in front couldn't get traction going up the hill and as it came back down towards me, I had no alternative but to reverse as well," she said.
Another Dannevirke commuter was also caught by the same incident.
"I just followed the other vehicles, but it was a bit scary," she said.
The Saddle Rd will be closed for three weeks, weather dependent, to allow heavy maintenance on the route which is being put under pressure with the continued closure of State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge.
NZTA regional transport system manager Ross I'Anson said the work was essential to ensure the Saddle Rd, which had been undergoing a $8.5 million upgrade due for completion this summer, was able to safely cope with the increase in traffic volumes with the gorge closed since April.
The heavy maintenance work requires large milling machines on the road and hence the need to restrict traffic because of their size.
Completing this work will strengthen the road and improve journeys for motorists.
"This work is, however, dependant on the weather and a decision will be made each day on what works are able proceed.
"If the weather is too poor to allow the work to go ahead, Saddle Rd will be open to traffic in both directions," he said.
Updates on whether the roadworks are going ahead and restrictions in place will be displayed on message signs around the routes.
The agency is also monitoring the condition of the Pahiatua Track while the Manawatu Gorge is closed and will continue to work the local authorities in the area on reinforcing signage about routes.