The unpredictable nature of slips along Masterton-Castlepoint Rd has forced Masterton District Council [MDC] to close the road while roading crews work.
The stretch of road will be closed between 8am and 4pm daily from today until Friday afternoon.
MDC said the road will open for traffic for one hour each day between 12pm and 1pm.
The road will be closed after the Riversdale turnoff at Blairlogie-Langdale Rd, but will be open at all times for emergency vehicles and the school bus.
The Masterton-Castlepoint Road was severely impacted by slips, debris, and drop-outs caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
MDC roading manager Kaine Jaquiery said there was no option but to close the road to ensure the safety of roading crews making essential repairs.
“We have six crews along that route currently working to shore up the road and make it safe for users.
“Some of the slips are still moving, and the road is not stable.”
Jaquiery said the council’s crews could not work safely or efficiently when they are simultaneously trying to watch for land movement on the hill above them as well as other road users.
“Other vehicles, particularly larger trucks, are putting the safety of the crews at risk and potentially exacerbating the issues we are currently seeing on the road.”
Jaquiery said the safest way to quickly get the road back open to all is to close it while the crews are working.
“We apologise for the delays this will cause locals but hope to have your road back up and running as quickly as we can.”
The road will be manned at the Blairlogie-Langdale Rd and Masterton-Castlepoint Rd intersection, the Langdale Rd and Masterton- Castlepoint Rd intersection, and just south of Tinui on the Masterton-Castlepoint Rd.
Any decision to extend the road closure into next week will be made this Friday, MDC said.
