More than 2000 people have signed an online petition calling for the storm-damaged Hollyford road to be repaired as soon as possible.
But it appears the road's owner, the Southland District Council, is concerned about the potential cost of maintaining it when a nationwide funding arrangement expires in four years' time.
The petition was started 10 days ago by veteran Queenstown aviator Jules Tapper, who has accused the council and the NZ Transport Agency of "sitting on their hands" since the road was damaged in a major storm in February.
The future of the road, which runs for 17km from State Highway 94 to the start of the popular Hollyford Track, could be decided at a meeting on September 24.
NZTA system manager for Otago and Southland Graeme Hall said it was assessing the costs of repairing the road with its contractor, Downer, but knew they would be "extensive" because of the extent of the damage and the changes to the river bed caused by the storm.