Meanwhile, in Tararua Country....

‘Temperamental’ hill delays gorge reopening

By STACEY KIRK - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Friday, 16 September 2011

STILL SHUT: Work continued last week on clearing
the gorge road after it was closed by a big slip.
— MURRAY WILSON/Manawatu Standard.

THE MANAWATU GORGE road will remain shut until at least next week in what is now its longest closure in seven years.

The New Zealand Transport Agency yesterday announced it would be several more days before the road would reopen, but was reluctant to be more specific because the closure could blow out even longer.

The gorge road has been closed since heavy rain caused a massive slip last month.

Significant extra traffic was expected between Wellington and Palmerston North to Napier for the Rugby World Cup match between Canada and France this weekend. Motorists were advised to add an extra 30 minutes to their trip.

NZTA Palmerston North state highways manager David McGonigal said the reopening of the gorge road would not be rushed if it wasn't deemed safe. "We've been working hard to get the gorge open, but the hillside has proven very temperamental. Providing safe passage for motorists is our most important concern even if it does mean trips will take a little longer."

Mr McGonigal said NZTA was focusing on securing the hillside until it was stable.

Though the NZTA was hopeful access could be restored next week, that would depend on how the hillside behaved in the coming days, he said.

"We need to do a very thorough job, and we need to do this safely, and with a slip of this magnitude, this will take time."

"The stuff that's come down is only part of the job; the biggest challenge is the material that needs to be brought down before the road is safe to reopen."

NZTA said it understood the importance of the route to the people and businesses of the region, and appreciated the patience shown by motorists and local communities over the 27 days the gorge had now been closed.

Mr McGonigal said it was important rugby fans took their time to drive safely home after the game.

"People will be returning home after dark, and while we've made extensive safety improvements to the highway network in recent years, it is still important that people drive to the conditions, keep a safe following distance and keep their speeds down," Mr McGonigal said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5636467/Temperamental-hill-delays-gorge-reopening