Locals vented their frustration by painting a message on the road in 2018.
Drone footage of the message reflecting locals' frustration in 2018. Photo / Supplied
In 2019, the Tararua District Council was denied funding for the improvements to the road, which was in a "shocking" state.
Last year, the Government announced it would invest $14.6 million so the Tararua District Council could expand its roading programme on Route 52.
That funding has been administered by Kanoa - Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit and the project was managed by Tararua Alliance.
Since then a number of stages have been completed, such as widening works in the Wimbledon area to allow vehicles to safely pass.
Project manager Andrew Desmond said they were in the final stages of widening the road from an average of 5.3m to 7m.
He said the plan before Christmas was to do a general tidy up of freshly sealed areas, line marking and installing new signage along the 7km section.
"A broader tidy up of the 26km length will also occur, including fixing some of the potholes and slumps that have formed during winter and spring, in time for holiday traffic."
Further improvements planned for next year included making the road straighter and wider and improving overall visibility.
The project had also seen some positive outcomes for the district.
Kanoa-RDU senior regional adviser Natasha Morris said the project was about stimulating economic activity and creating work for local people and opportunities for local businesses.
"The social outcomes of this project are commendable," she said.
"Of the current 54 people working on the project, around 85 per cent are local.
"Not only has the road construction had a positive impact on the area's economy, but it has had an impact on people's lives and wellbeing.
