Extended opening hours through the Haast Pass from tomorrow should ease the frustration of locals and tourism operators.
The area of State Highway 6 between Haast and Makarora has had restricted opening hours for over two months as rock fall and slips threaten the road.
Now the highway will be open at the Diana Falls slip site from 8.00am - an hour earlier than previous opening hours.
New Zealand Transport Agency's Performance Manager Pete Connors said it was still obviously not an ideal situation.
"As soon as we can open it 24/7, we will open it 24/7, but that will probably require some form of protection to protect road users in the event of rock falls."
