Following the recent month-long closure of the Manawatu Gorge, the New Zealand Transport Agency could explore alternative route options.
The state highway through the gorge has been closed for the past month after two slips in April, and another slip earlier this month blocked the road. It is the main route from Hawke's Bay to Palmerston North.
NZTA regional highways manager Ross I'Anson said the unique geology of the area, the nature of the Manawatu Gorge and location of the road, made that section of State Highway 3 susceptible to closure.
"When the road is closed and detours are in place it impacts the region's economy, and it's a disruption for the people and businesses that rely on the route, as well as for those who live in the communities along the alternate route," he said.
Figures for the cost of gorge maintenance over the past five years were not available, however a large slip in 2011 which closed the gorge for 13 months was estimated at more than $21million.
When asked whether he thought the route had a future, Mr l'Anson said their immediate focus was on repairing recent damage, and re-opening the gorge.
"Once we've done that we'll evaluate all of the options again, talk with regional partners and confirm whether the investment in Saddle Rd, as an alternate route, is sufficient," he said.
NZTA had looked at other options in the past - a 2015 report they commissioned listed options to bypass, or replace the current route with options ranging in cost from $120 million to $1.8 billion.
The report also identified the nature of the gorge required a "resilient alternative route to improve inter-regional access", and recommended an upgrade of the Saddle Road.
Work had since been done to improve this road, making it more resilient and more capable of handling heavy vehicles and freight when required as an alternate route.
$8.5m has been invested in the Saddle Rd upgrade, expected to be complete by the start of 2018.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges reiterated the gorge was an important transport connection between the Manawatu and Hawke's Bay Regions.
"I've asked the NZTA to look into what long-term options there are for strengthening its resilience. I expect this work to revisit the 2015 study to ensure all options are evaluated," he said.
"In the meantime, work will continue on the alternate route by upgrading the Saddle Rd to ensure inter-regional access while NZTA continues to clear the slips."