The NZ Transport Agency says there's no long-term solution in sight to stop closures on the Manawatu Gorge.
The plan now is to continue clearing slips and maintaining the key transport route, despite already spending more than $20 million in the past six years doing so.
NZTA Highway manager Ross I'Anson told localfocus they had reports done previously that tabled what alternative options there might be.
"They are all very tricky and very expensive," he said. "We are constantly reviewing options and there was a report released in 2015 on just what those options were. Things from bridging to roading options either side of the gorge, and a tunnel which is a very expensive option."
The Saddle Rd is being pushed as the most reliable alternative for the 7200 vehicles which travel through the Gorge each day.
"But we have spent $8.5 million to the end of this financial year on the Saddle Rd," Mr I'Anson said. "The gorge being flat, even though we have issues with slips, is still the most viable option at the moment for traffic going from Manawatu to the Hawkes Bay."
Transport Minister Simon Bridges confirmed he would be visiting the region soon and this would include a stop in the Manawatu Gorge.
He did not answer questions directly put to him about whether the Government would consider investing more money in the road.
"The Tararua District Council, in partnership with the NZTA, is increasing the resilience of the alternate route to improve inter-regional access by upgrading Saddle Rd.
"The $8.5 million project will upgrade the entire road and be completed early 2018."
The NZTA has cleared more than 4000cu m so far and is on track to have the road re-opened May 18. Design work for safety fencing structures to be installed across sections of the slip face have also commenced.