Contractors clearing the road through the Manawatu Gorge are making good progress, but it could still be closed for months.
State Highway 3 has been blocked since mid October when a massive landslide covered the road.
John Jones from NZTA says they're currently stabilising the slip.
"It's too risky to just keep removing the slip material from the bottom because there could be a major collapse," he says.
"We have to go in from the top, and remove that unstable area from the top."
Steps or benches are being cut into the slip to help machinery move around and clear the area.
RadioLIVE