The massive cleanup and repair work needed throughout Waitaki following recent floods is almost at an end and just three rural roads are still to re-open.
Chalmers Rd and Woodburn Rd, which were closed on August 14 because of slips, and Uxbridge Rd, which was closed on July 31 because of a major washout, remain out of action, but Waitaki District Council roading manager Michael Voss said diversion routes were in place, and residents were not cut off.
Mr Voss said the three roads would probably remain closed for a "bit longer" as further analysis was needed.
"They are all reasonable-size jobs. Sometimes these jobs depend on how long it takes for the subsoils to drain out and see what damage has been done.
"The last thing we want to do is rip into roads and just find a puggy mess.
"We are doing what we can without causing lasting damage."
About 40 rural roads were closed at the height of the flooding two weeks ago, and Mr Voss praised the council's roading contractor Southroads, which had done "extremely well in a short time" to get as many roads open as possible.
More than 20 roads were still under caution, but Mr Voss said two more Southroads crews would conduct district-wide remedial work next week.
Although it was not possible to name a date for the completion of repair work, it was hoped all roads would re-open within the next 10 days, depending on the weather, he said.
The cost of the cleanup has been estimated to be between $500,000 and $1 million.
