The Milford Road is likely to stay closed over the weekend as contractors struggle to clear avalanche debris.
New Zealand Transport Agency Southland manager Peter Robinson said the Milford Rd had been closed since Tuesday.
Up to 80cm of avalanche debris was covering the road and was still being cleared yesterday.
"We are still clearing avalanche material that came down on Thursday. We have made a track through the Homer Tunnel which was completely buried on the east side," he said.
Some control bombing was undertaken to clear the area on Thursday.
"Three avalanches reached the road and these have needed to be cleared. Checks have indicated more active control is necessary," he said.
Contractors were scheduled to do more control work last night and this morning.
Mr Robinson said a single lane had been cleared to get a convoy of vehicles with chains through late yesterday afternoon.
"Essential supplies have been programmed to be taken into Milford and a number of people stuck over there since Tuesday night will have an opportunity to travel out," he said.
The road would be closed again today so the lane could be widened.
"It is necessary to ensure the area is stable as another storm is forecast for Monday," he said.
