Access along Masterton-Castlepoint Rd was blocked by a fallen tree on Sunday morning. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Commuters were uncertain whether to stop or go as the Remutaka Hill Rd was opened and closed several times before lunch on Sunday.
Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency [NZTA] said the road first closed just after 7am because of slips.
It advised drivers to delay their journey while crews worked to remove the fallen debris.
By 9.55am, the road opened again, and NZTA thanked drivers for their patience.
However, only five minutes later NZTA announced that the road had closed because of another slip.
“The road has had to be closed again due to another slip coming down just after the road was announced open,” it said.
NZTA said the closure had been necessary to allow contractors to remove slip debris safely. It said the road had fully reopened by 11.40am.
“While every effort is being made to reopen the route as quickly as possible today, continuing bad weather means there is the risk of further slips and rockfalls and the chance of the closure being extended.”
It said ongoing wet weather meant drivers across the lower North Island needed to take extra care on the roads.
Meanwhile, trees fell on Masterton-Castlepoint Rd before 7am, blocking the path in and out.
Residents said the trees were cleared by 10am.
