While some tourists had still made a one-way journey to Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and Haast further south on SH6 were especially badly hit, the 13-day closure costing an estimated $35million in lost earnings.
Businesses are now concerned about the reputational damage from the ongoing closure. The highway closed on November 9 during record rainfall, and today is day 14.
The road reopening is subject to weather issues and road-loading tests, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi system manager Mark Pinner said.
For the time being the highway will close overnight, from 9pm through to 7am the next day, as NZTA gains more assurance of slope stability.
"The rock-scaling and explosives team has been working continually since Monday last week to make this site safe for it to reopen. As well as removing rocks which directly threatened the highway, using air bags, explosives and helicopter sluicing, they have also tackled a number of other unstable rock faces around this section of highway, with more to come to provide some future-proofing."
All highway cracks in the road directly above the massive Epitaph slip were filled in earlier this week and drainage drilling outlets piped.
More sizable blasting work will also require road closures for part of some days, with details to be confirmed soon.
If there is further heavy rain, NZTA says it may close the road as a precaution.
It says there has been minimal movement on site since recording began on November 9. However, movement sensors in the ground that are linked to warning lights have been installed.
Development West Coast destination and tourism manager Andrew Aitken said the tourist route was critical for visitors to flow through, not only into South Westland, but also connecting with the northern West Coast.
"While the reopening is great news, the long-term reputational risk remains a serious concern. Feedback from some inbound tourism operators suggests that, without consistent infrastructure reliability, the West Coast could be at risk of being excluded from future itineraries."
With about $100million of annual visitor spending coming from international group tours, any potential disruption to this market would be concerning, Mr Aitken said.
Long-time Franz Josef resident Richard Molloy said the sky divers were still operating at Waiho Flat.
"It’s been quite a surprise at how many people are still coming."
— Greymouth Star
