Diggers were on the move again in the Manawatu Gorge after a period of settled weather enabled crews to return safely to the slip site.
NZ Transport Agency Palmerston North state highways manager David McGonigal said the agency had been monitoring the gorge closely, with the settled weather making the
area safer for road crews to return with heavy equipment.
"Since the big slip of October 17, the ongoing instability of the site has meant workers using heavy machinery have had to steer clear of the slip for their own safety," Mr McGonigal said.
"Fortunately things have settled down and we can now get back in there and get stuck in."
Work behind the scenes remained "feverish", with input from roading engineers, geotechnical engineers and geological specialists. The team was also overseeing the operation of the alternative routes to ensure they remained safe.
