Stability concerns about part of the massive slip that blocked the Waioeka Gorge on March 3 have put off talk of reopening the road this week.

Geologists on Monday discovered a 20,000tonne rocky outcrop has moved downhill considerably, and is now overhanging the highway.

Work on the slip.

Geologists are expected to decide today if more work is required to stabilise the area, or if it is okay to leave it where it is.

Meanwhile, a traffic management plan has been prepared to manage access past the slip site when it is opened for traffic. 

Initially the road is expected to be open during daylight hours from 7am to 6.30pm.

More information regarding the diversion will be made available when the opening date is announced.

The concrete blocks installed to provide protection for the temporary road surface has progressed with some challenges due to the force of the stream which have now been resolved using boulders to support the blocks.

A sluicing operation on the slip face was carried out from Friday through to Saturday, but rain hampered activity on Sunday. 

With tree stumps removed from the slip, sluicing has picked up tremendously with 75 per cent of the material removed from the middle zone two area. 

About 29,000cubic metres of material has been removed from the slip area overall.
Associate Minister for Transport Chris Tremain will visit the slip site today along with Gisborne District Council and Opotiki District Council. 

The highway has been blocked since the estimated 80,000tonne slip fell on the road on March 3.