The Transport Agency is not expecting the Manawatu Gorge road to reopen until early next week.
The section of State Highway 3 was closed on the night of 18 August when heavy rain brought down about 1000 cubic metres of soil and debris, about 2km from the Ashhurst end of the gorge.
The Transport Agency's state highways manager, David McGonigal, says as contractors cleared away debris, more hillside was falling down.
He says it has been a challenging task to get diggers up to where they are needed to clear away the loose hillside.
Mr McGonigal says when the road eventually reopens, just one lane will operate initially and traffic lights will be used to control access.
