Road damage will take many months to fix, drivers told

Damage to the Whanganui River Rd will cost around $9 million to fix. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

Drivers on Wanganui's rural roads will need to take care for months and not just days, in the wake of the June weather bomb that caused massive damage across the district.

Thousands of slips above and below secondary roads have caused at least $25 million in damage, $9.5 million of that to the Whanganui River Rd.

Wanganui District Council senior roading engineer Rui Leitao said every rural road was damaged to some degree in the June 20-21 weather event.

Mr Leitao said that, while most roads were now open to all vehicles, drivers were being urged to drive with caution.

He said that approach would be needed for the next 2-3 years.

"Our current approach is first to clear slips, reform roadside drainage and clear culverts. Since underslips require careful investigation, these will come second in reinstatement," he said.

Mr Leitao said public notices had been issued and new signage was being placed at the start of the Whanganui River Rd, near its intersection with State Highway 4.

"The signs are advising drivers that, while it's officially open, the road should be used only when necessary. And campervans are advised to use an alternative route north."

He said "road closed" barriers were in place just beyond Jerusalem, as the road would be impassable 2km south of Pipiriki on the Ruapehu district side for a number of months.

"The most important message is that, if travelling on this road is absolutely necessary, then people must drive at safe speeds for the conditions and take additional care in wet weather," Mr Leitao said.

In terms of paying for the River Rd repairs, he said, the NZ Transport Agency would be making a significant contribution and the council was working with the agency "to get the maximum possible contribution to reduce the cost to our ratepayers".