The Manawatu Gorge remained closed last week as work continues to repair a damaged retaining wall, and another small slip was cleared.
Transport Agency Highway Manager Ross I'Anson says a new small slip has left about 60m3 of material on the road, which was cleared last Friday. The slip is about 6.4km from the Woodville end of the Gorge and approximately 60m from the large slip that closed the Gorge Road on April 24.
Progress is being made on repairs to a damaged retaining wall on the river side of the road near Kerry's Wall, 4.5km from the Ashhurst turn-off, the site of several slips since the closure of the road.
"We understand how frustrating this closure is for everyone affected by it. Our crews are working hard to get the job done, and we'll re-open the road as soon as we are confident that it is safe to do so. When we re-open the gorge we will be implementing a regular monitoring programme to observe any changes to the rock slopes and surfaces to ensure the route remains safe for everyone using the road," Mr I'Anson says.
"The priority is safely opening the gorge," Tararua District council mayor Tracey Collis says. "Concern was raised about future safety at a recent meeting with myself and other mayors Smith, Worboys and NZTA. NZTA planned to share their daily monitoring and observation regime with the public, which will assist with public confidence.