Motorists travelling north of Taihape can expect delays on State Highway 1 from now until mid-June while the road is improved.
Work is under way on a retaining wall to protect the highway from an under-road slip, just north of the Paengaroa Rd intersection.
Regional highways manager David McGonigal said subsidence on the embankment beneath the road had caused the road to partially collapse, but a retaining wall would help to prevent further subsidence.
"The subsidence is happening slowly, but it's important that we get cracking now while the weather is still on our side. That way it'll be done and dusted, and we'll have a sturdy highway all set to face the worst of winter.
"We know that the work will create some hold-ups, but these delays will be minor compared to the long detour that motorists would have to take if the road was forced to close.
SH1 will be down to one lane, and there will be a 30kmh speed limit during the day between now and April 18. At night the road will be open both ways, with speed restrictions.
Higgins, the contractor doing the work, will take a break over the Easter and Anzac Day public holidays to minimise the impact on holiday traffic.
Workers will return on April 28, with the job expected to be completed by mid-June.
From late April to June, the road will be restricted to a single lane, with traffic lights and a 30kmh speed restriction 24 hours a day.
Source: Manawatū Standard
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