More slips in gorge

Palmerston North: As the Manawatu Gorge enters its 10th week of closure, with no reopening date in sight, the route suffered two more slips at the weekend.

NZ Transport Agency highway manager Ross I’Anson yesterday confirmed further repair work on State Highway 3 was being carried out after two small slips at the weekend around the Kerry’s Wall slip damaged the rock fall netting and support structures that had been put in place.

The slips come as figures supplied to Hawke’s Bay Today by the NZTA show the costs claimed since the Anzac Day slips presently total $305,377.61.

The estimated claim for this month sits at $631,184 and it was expected the total estimated cost could rise to $936,561.61.