The agency said ''over 80% of the rock'' was not attached to the mountainside and the unstable rock perched on the mountainside ''poses such a high risk to road users that it was necessary for the NZTA to close the Milford road from the eastern tunnel entrance on May 23 until at least the first section of the rock can be removed. NZTA Southland area manager Peter Robinson said the weather at the site since the road closure had been ''appalling'', severely hampering the efforts of the specialist team to do the work needed to blast free the first section of rock.
''Up until this week, bad weather meant we have only had one full day's work on site since the road closed.''
''The weather finally eased on Wednesday, allowing the team to begin drilling to prepare the rock for blasting, and was settled enough for a full day's drilling on Thursday.''
Mr Robinson said because of the way the section of unstable rock was deteriorating, if it failed it would fall rapidly. ''We understand the extended road closure is tough on local tour operators and community and appreciate their support, as we do our best to remove this unstable section of rock to give them some certainty around the availability of the road in the months ahead,'' he said.
